(L) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda and (R) South Sudan President Salva Kiir / Courtesy Photo
By Joseph Malek
With tensions escalating between President Salva Kiir’s camp and Dr. Riek Machar’s faction, attention has turned to Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to broker a breakthrough.
The house arrest of Dr. Riek Machar, Chairperson and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), has sparked widespread concern with many African nations have called for action to resolve the impasse.
While SPLM/A-IO officials view Machar’s house arrest as a collapse of the 2018 peace agreement, the government insists the agreement is still being implemented, leaving the accord at a critical juncture.
The arrival of the African Union’s Panel of the Wise, followed by President Museveni’s visit, has reignited hope for progress.
According to a statement from President Kiir’s office, Museveni’s visit to Juba aims to address the current political developments and strengthen bilateral relations between South Sudan and Uganda.
“The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations between Juba and Kampala, as well as the current political developments in the country,” the statement read.
President Kiir’s meeting with Museveni is seen as a pivotal moment. The outcome could either de-escalate or further escalate the ongoing tensions.
In his part, political scientist Chol Madit Kur noted that while the peace agreement teeters between failure and progress, all eyes are on Museveni and the AU’s Panel of the Wise.
“The country is watching delegates like Uganda’s President and the AU’s wise men to see if they can achieve a breakthrough and ensure dialogue prevails among the key stakeholders,” Kur said.
He emphasized that Museveni, as a close ally of President Kiir, could play a crucial role in persuading Kiir to lift Machar’s house arrest, paving the way for meaningful dialogue.
