A newly released United Nations report has accused Uganda of violating the 2018 arms embargo on South Sudan by sending troops and military equipment across the border, beginning in March 2025.
The deployment coincided with renewed fighting between government forces and fighters loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar. Machar’s recent arrest and ongoing trial have heightened political tensions, raising fears of a return to full-scale civil war.
While Uganda has acknowledged sending soldiers at the request of President Salva Kiir, UN experts say the military buildup went far beyond initial deployments.
According to the panel, additional Ugandan troops, tanks, armored vehicles, and other military equipment have continued to flow into South Sudan over the past nine months.
Some forces are now stationed just a few kilometers from the capital, Juba, a move the report describes as a clear violation of the UN-imposed arms embargo.
The report warns that the continued military presence could escalate tensions in an already fragile security environment and calls for urgent international attention to prevent a potential return to large-scale conflict.
The UN panel’s findings come amid growing concern over South Sudan’s fragile peace process and the political uncertainty surrounding Machar’s detention.
The report says the presence of foreign troops close to Juba has destabilize the capital and further complicate efforts to maintain political dialogue between rival factions.
No official response has yet been issued by the South Sudanese government regarding the latest UN report.
International observers are urging both Uganda and South Sudan to respect the embargo and recommit to peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms.
