President Yoweri Museveni Visits Juba for Crisis Talks as South Sudan Tensions Escalate

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni landed in Juba on Thursday for high-level discussions with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, amid growing instability in the world’s youngest nation.

The visit seeks to strengthen bilateral relations while addressing South Sudan’s escalating political crisis, which has drawn global condemnation following the house arrest of opposition leader and First Vice President Riek Machar.

Upon arrival, Museveni was welcomed by Kiir at Juba International Airport in what officials termed a “working visit.” The Ugandan leader later confirmed his trip on 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 played a pivotal role in regional peace efforts, including mediating South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement that ended a devastating civil war. However, Uganda’s recent military involvement in South Sudan has faced backlash from opposition groups, who accuse Kampala of interfering in domestic affairs.

The talks come as unrest intensifies following Machar’s detention, which has triggered clashes in Rejaf, Wunaliet, and Upper Nile State. While the government alleges Machar was plotting a rebellion, his supporters deny the accusations.

The African Union, United Nations, and regional leaders have condemned Machar’s arrest, warning it could undermine South Sudan’s fragile peace.

Meanwhile, South Sudan’s government has sought military support from Uganda, with Defence Minister Jacob Oboth confirming that Kiir urgently requested assistance on March 10 to prevent a security breakdown.

“Following this request, the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) was deployed on a peace enforcement mission to stabilize the situation,” Oboth said, defending the move as aligned with Uganda’s values of patriotism and Pan-Africanism.

Museveni’s visit follows a recent diplomatic mission by Kenya’s special envoy Raila Odinga, who claimed his request to meet Machar was denied. Odinga alleged that Kiir redirected him to Museveni—a claim dismissed by South Sudan’s presidential press secretary, David Amuor Majur, who called it a misrepresentation of diplomatic protocols.

As tensions persist, regional leaders remain under pressure to de-escalate the crisis before it spirals further.