Museveni arrives in Juba for talks with President Kiir

President Museveni’s visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and address the deepening crisis in South Sudan.

The crisis has drawn international condemnation following the house arrest of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.

Upon arrival at Juba International Airport, Museveni was received by President Kiir for what has been described as a Working Visit.

The Ugandan leader later confirmed his arrival via a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating:

“I look forward to our discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation between our two nations.”

Museveni has long been a key regional player in peace efforts, having played a significant role in brokering the 2018 peace agreement that ended South Sudan’s brutal civil war.

However, Uganda’s recent military deployments in South Sudan have sparked criticism from opposition figures, who accuse Museveni of interfering in the country’s internal political affairs.

Museveni’s visit comes against the backdrop of growing unrest in South Sudan, following the detention of VP Riek Machar and his wife, Angelina Teny.

Their arrest has led to outbreaks of violence in Rejaf, Wunaliet, and Upper Nile State. The South Sudanese government has accused Machar of plotting a rebellion, a claim his allies strongly deny.

The United Nations, the African Union, and regional leaders have condemned Machar’s house arrest, warning that the situation threatens to derail years of fragile peace in the world’s youngest nation.

In response to rising tensions, South Sudanese President Kiir reportedly sought military assistance from Uganda.

Uganda’s Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Jacob Oboth, told parliament that President Kiir made an urgent request on March 10 for military support to prevent a potential security crisis.

“Following this request, the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) was deployed on a peace enforcement mission to stabilize the situation,” Oboth stated.

He further defended Uganda’s decision, saying it aligns with the country’s values of patriotism, nationalism, and Pan-Africanism.

Museveni’s visit also follows a high-level mission by Kenya’s Special Envoy to South Sudan, Raila Odinga, who met with President Kiir last week.

However, controversy arose after Raila alleged that his request to meet Machar was denied and that Kiir instead directed him to consult Museveni in Uganda.

In response, South Sudan’s Presidential Press Secretary, David Amuor Majur, dismissed Odinga’s claims, calling them a misrepresentation of diplomatic norms.

“The suggestion that His Excellency General Salva Kiir Mayardit requested Right Honourable Raila Odinga to meet the President of Uganda misrepresents diplomatic principles,” Majur said during a press briefing on Monday.

“It is essential to clarify that the Right Honourable Odinga’s mission to Uganda was pre-arranged and not at the direction of President Kiir.”