By Matik Kueth
The First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, accused Uganda of violating a United Nations arms embargo by deploying military forces equipped with armored vehicles and air force units in South Sudan.
In a letter addressed to key international bodies, including the United Nations, African Union, and IGAD, Machar expressed his deep concern over what he terms a “grave violation” of existing treaties designed to maintain peace in the East Africa region.
“I am writing to express concerns on the presence, deployment and intervention of the Ugandan Military in South Sudan,” Machar said, underscoring the serious implications of such actions for the stability in the country.
He said Uganda’s intervention contravenes Articles 2.1.5 and 2.1.7 of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and Article 7(4) of the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians, and Humanitarian Access (COHA).
Machar alleged that since the UPDF arrived in South Sudan, the forces have actively engaged in air strikes against civilians in various counties, including Nasir, Longechuk, Ulang, and Akobo.
“The Ugandan Military entered South Sudan fully equipped with armored and air-force units,” he stated, pointing to the violations of UN Security Council resolutions designed to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan in its ongoing conflict.
He delineated the complexities surrounding the situation by referencing a Status of Forces Agreement signed in 2014, which he argues “was not signed by the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGONU.
Machar pointed out that the refugee-like presence of non-South Sudanese armed groups is not in accordance with Article 8.3 of the R-ARCSS, necessitating their withdrawal.
In light of these developments, Machar called for dialogue, identifying the Joint Defense Board (JDB) as a venue through which to manage the Nasir incident peacefully.
“The Nasir incident can be managed through the Transitional Security Arrangement Mechanisms,” he stressed, noting that such internal mechanisms should be prioritized over external military interventions.
He said the Ugandan leadership played a vital role in previous peace negotiations, stressing that, “Uganda as a member of IGAD participated in the mediation of both ARCSS and R-ARCSS and became a guarantor of the Agreement.”
The Vice President urged Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to reiterate his commitment to peace and assist the implementation of a long-term peace framework in South Sudan.
He warned that the current external military involvement threatens to undermine efforts toward democratic transition.
“The presence of the Ugandan Military shall impede the process of the transition to democracy,” he cautioned.
However, Machar appealed to the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), IGAD, and the UN Security Council (UNSC) to intervene so that Uganda withdraws its troops in the country.
“We therefore implore upon the AUPSC, IGAD, and the UNSC to intervene and ask the government of the Republic of Uganda to withdraw her military forces from the Republic of South Sudan,” he added.
He further reiterated his commitment to the full implementation of the peace deal.
“I once more seize this opportunity to unequivocally reiterate our commitment to peace and peaceful resolution of all challenges that are facing the country,” he noted.
Ugandan troops’ presence
On March 11, 2025, Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), were deployed in Juba at the request of South Sudan’s government after an SSPDF commander, Lt. Gen. Majur Dak, was killed by the white army in Nasir County, Upper Nile State together with his 27 men and a UN crew member during a helicopter attack.
On his X platform, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, President Museveni’s son and the UPDF’s Army Chief, pointed out that Ugandan troops were deployed in Juba to protect President Salva Kiir amid escalating tensions in South Sudan, emphasizing that Ugandan forces are in South Sudan specifically to secure Juba for President Kiir.
On March 17, 2025, the Minister of Information, Michael Makuei, confirmed the presence of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) in Juba, noting that the UPDF is in South Sudan with the government’s approval.
He stated that the UPDF’s presence in Juba was an agreement, initially struck to support collaborative operations against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), enabling Uganda to deploy troops in South Sudan to safeguard territorial integrity.
The move came as fears rose that the fragile peace deal between Kiir and his deputy Dr. Riek Machar could collapse, potentially reigniting conflict.
For weeks now, the UPDF has been unleashing aerial bombardments on innocent children in Nasir, Ulang, and Longechuk counties, destroying homes and causing thousands to escape for safety.
Fragile peace
On March 24, in a press briefing in New York, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Nicolas Haysom, warned that South Sudan is on the verge of returning to a full-fledged civil war as renewed violence and political tensions evolve in the country.
He described indiscriminate attacks on civilians, enormous displacement, and escalating ethnic tensions.
“A conflict would erase all the hard-won gains made since the 2018 peace deal was signed. It would devastate not only South Sudan but the entire region, which simply cannot afford another war,” Haysom warned.
According to reports, at least 63,000 civilians have left Nasir and Ulang counties as a result of the UPDF and SSPDF’s ongoing aerial bombardments.