South Sudan’s First Vice-President, Dr. Riek Machar, has called on the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and regional bloc IGAD to intervene over Uganda’s military presence in the country, warning it could threaten a fragile 2018 peace deal.
In a letter dated 23 March and seen by Radio Tamazuj, Dr. Machar accused Uganda of violating international agreements by deploying troops without approval from South Sudan’s transitional government.
The letter was addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, AU Peace and Security Council Commissioner Bankole Adeoye, and IGAD chair Ismail Omar Guelleh, who is also Djibouti’s president.
Mr Machar, who leads the main opposition group SPLM/A-IO, said Uganda’s presence breaches the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS), which mandates the withdrawal of foreign forces. He cited violations of Articles 2.1.5 and 2.1.7, as well as a 2017 ceasefire deal.
The letter also accused Uganda of carrying out airstrikes in Upper Nile and Jonglei states, allegedly targeting civilians. Uganda’s government has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Mr Machar warned the situation could derail South Sudan’s delayed transition to democracy and urged mediation by the UN Security Council, AU, and IGAD.
“Uganda was a key guarantor of the peace agreement,” he wrote. “We expected President [Yoweri] Museveni to support its implementation, not undermine it.”
Uganda first sent troops to South Sudan in 2014 under a bilateral deal with the former government. Mr Machar said the current administration never ratified the agreement, rendering their presence unlawful under the 2018 peace deal.
The UN has maintained an arms embargo on South Sudan since 2018, raising questions over how Ugandan forces entered with heavy weaponry.
Two weeks ago, Uganda deployed special forces amid growing fears that South Sudan could slide back into civil war.
Uganda’s military chief said the troops were sent to help “secure” Juba and “support” President Salva Kiir. Tensions between President Salva Kiir and Mr Machar have escalated as a power-sharing deal falters, with recent clashes reported.