South Sudan’s First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, has strongly condemned Uganda’s military presence in his country, calling it a “blatant violation” of South Sudan’s sovereignty and international agreements.
In a letter dated March 21, 2025, addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, AU Peace and Security Commissioner Bankole Adeoye, and IGAD Chair Ismail Omar Guelleh, Machar demanded the immediate withdrawal of Ugandan troops.
“The Ugandan military intervention constitutes a grave violation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians, and Humanitarian Access (COHA),” Machar stated in his letter.
While the Ugandan government has yet to respond to Machar’s allegations, sources indicate that Kampala may justify its presence in South Sudan on security grounds, particularly concerning border security and regional stability.
This development raises concerns about renewed tensions between the two East African nations, with analysts warning that any further escalation could undermine fragile peace efforts in South Sudan.
The UN, AU, and IGAD have not officially commented on Machar’s letter, but regional observers are closely monitoring the situation.
