FVP Machar urges UN to intervene over Ugandan forces in South Sudan

By Chuol Chanyong

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.

He warned that the unilateral decision to deploy the UPDF, could threaten the signed 2018 peace deal.

In a letter dated March 23, 2025, Dr. Machar accused Uganda of violating international agreements by deploying troops without approval from South Sudan’s transitional government.

He addressed the letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, AU Peace and Security Council Commissioner Bankole Adeoye, and IGAD chair Ismail Omar Guelleh who doubles as president of Djibouti.

“The intervention of the Ugandan army is a serious violation of the Revitalized peace agreement of 2018 (R-ARCSS) According to Articles 2.1.5 and 2.1.7, in addition to the ceasefire agreement for 2017,” Dr. Machar wrote.

He continued that the Ugandan soldiers deployed in South Sudan are fully equipped with armored and air forces units, describing it as a violation of the United Nations Security Council resolution 2428 passed on July 13, 2018.

The resolution imposes a prohibition of weapons on the Republic of South Sudan.

Machar said the UPDF are participating in air strikes in the Upper Nile and parts of Jonglei State.

“The Ugandan forces are currently participating in air strikes against civilians in the provinces of Nasir, Longchoke and Ulgang in the Upper Nile State, and Akubo county of Jonglei State.”  

Machar proposed the possibility of managing the Nasir case in peaceful ways through the mechanisms of transitional security arrangements, especially the Joint Defense Council responsible for directing and controlling all forces, which he said does not require external interference.

The international and regional community had warned of the return of South Sudan to a civil war due to the escalating tensions in the country.