South Sudan’s First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, has officially urged the United Nations, the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to intervene against what he calls an illegal military occupation by the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) in South Sudan. In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, AU Peace and Security Commissioner Bankole Adeoye and IGAD Chair Omar Ismail Guelleh, Machar condemned Uganda’s military intervention, arguing that it violates multiple peace agreements and threatens regional stability.
Machar states that Ugandan forces are currently stationed in strategic locations, including Nasir and parts of Juba and have been actively engaged in airstrikes targeting civilians in Upper Nile State, specifically in the counties of Nasir, Longechuk and Ulang, as well as Akobo County in Jonglei State. He contends that these military operations violate the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), particularly Articles 2.1.5 and 2.1.7, which mandate the withdrawal of all foreign forces from South Sudan. Additionally, he points to the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians, and Humanitarian Access (COHA), stating that Uganda’s actions directly contravene Article 7(4).
The letter further highlights that the UN Security Council, through Resolution 2428 of July 13, 2018—extended in May 2024 under Resolution 2731—imposed an arms embargo on South Sudan, effectively prohibiting military reinforcements or interventions. Machar argues that Uganda’s deployment of heavily armed units, including armored and air force divisions, violates these restrictions and undermines international peace efforts.
He also challenges Uganda’s legal basis for military presence, stating that the Status of Forces Agreement between Uganda and South Sudan, signed in January 2014, is outdated and overridden by Article 8.3 of the R-ARCSS, which mandates the removal of foreign troops.
Machar warns that Uganda’s continued involvement could derail South Sudan’s transition to democracy, reignite hostilities, and jeopardize the peace process. He urges Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who played a pivotal role in negotiating the ARCSS and R-ARCSS agreements, to uphold his commitment to regional stability.
Expressing fears that violations may collapse the peace deal, Machar calls on the AU, IGAD and the UN Security Council to demand Uganda’s immediate troop withdrawal. He stresses that diplomatic dialogue remains the only viable path to addressing violations of the agreement and ensuring a peaceful transition.
The letter was also copied to key UN officials, including Undersecretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee and UN Special Representative for South Sudan Nicholas Haysom.