Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/uganda-says-special-forces-deploy-south-sudan-capital-amid-tensions-2025-03-11/
Uganda has deployed special forces in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to secure it as stated by Uganda’s military chief on Tuesday. A Ugandan spokesperson said the deployment of Ugandan special forces was requested by South Sudan. However, South Sudan’s information minister denied the presence of troops, as tensions between South Sudan’s president and Vice President rise with fears of a conflict that may return. These tensions were created as a result of the Presidents government detaining two ministers and several military officers of the First Vice Presidents cabinet. These tensions, clashes, and arrests have been widely viewed as disturbing a peace that was reached in 2018 that ended a five year civil war between forces loyal to the President (Kiir) and Vice President (Machar). Ugandan forces have been deployed to South Sudan on account of previous civil wars backing President Kiir, however they are meant to be there to keep peace and more fighting from occurring.
Uganda fears refugee influx into their country from the reignition of a civil war that was ended by Ugandan forces in 2015 following the two year long conflict. They fear a full blown conflict between the president and the vice president could send waves of refugees across the border and potentially create instability. South Sudan calling upon Uganda to solve an issue they clearly can’t is wise and prudent on South Sudan’s part. The fighting may escalate beyond their control and an outside military force that only seeks a limit to refugees may benefit the situation. Other countries within the region may join with Uganda to avoid refugee spillover, but as of now, only Uganda has been called to play the mediator role.
This intra-state conflict was an armed conflict at one point before being somewhat resolved by Uganda, however it may return with the tensions in the country. This conflict deals on domestic issues, political entities, and ideals. There is some disagreement between the President and VP of South Sudan that may have both sides forces fighting an armed conflict again.