Uganda Withdraws Troops from South Sudan Amidst UN Mediation

Strategic Insights -

The Ugandan military is withdrawing from South Sudan, two days after the UN Security Council warned of "appropriate measures" against those hindering the implementation of the country's peace agreement. The withdrawal, which began yesterday, involves the movement of troops, heavy weaponry, and combat helicopters, and is expected to last until early November. The Ugandan troops, numbering about 3,000, had been deployed in South Sudan since mid-December 2013 to support the government of President Salva Kiir.

Key Takeaways:

  • The withdrawal of Ugandan troops is a result of the UN Security Council's warning of "appropriate measures" against those obstructing the implementation of the peace agreement.
  • The Ugandan military is redeploying approximately 3,000 troops from South Sudan, along with heavy weaponry and combat helicopters, with the operation expected to last until early November.
  • The Ugandan troops were initially deployed in South Sudan in December 2013 to support the government of President Salva Kiir, with the objective of stemming potential genocide and maintaining a balance of power between warring factions.
  • However, the Ugandan military's involvement soon became embroiled in South Sudan's partisan politics, drawing criticism from Machar's camp that their continued stay violated the peace agreement.
  • The UN force in South Sudan, established in 2011, has been mandated to substitute the Ugandan military and will maintain order, secure state installations, and enforce implementation of the peace agreement.
  • The Ugandan government welcomed the UN resolution and announced its compliance, indicating the beginning of the withdrawal of UPDF troops from South Sudan.
  • The UPDF Land Forces commander, Maj Gen David Muhoozi, was coordinating the orderly withdrawal from Juba and Jonglei State, with nine soldiers reportedly dying in one direct encounter with rebel forces.

Statistics:

  • 10,900 (12,600 troops + 1,300 police) UN peacekeepers will be deployed in South Sudan to maintain order and enforce implementation of the peace agreement.
  • 2.2 million civilians were displaced in the civil war that ensued in South Sudan following the initial skirmishes in 2013.
  • $45 million: the cost of the operation for Uganda since 2013, with the Ugandan government claiming that the South Sudanese government provided fuel, thus incurring no additional costs.

Sources:

  • "The UN Security Council urges parties to the conflict in South Sudan to make the necessary compromises for the peaceful implementation of the agreement" (October 9, 2015, Resolution 2231 (2015))
  • "Statement by the Spokesperson on recent developments in South Sudan" (August 24, 2015, UN News Centre)
  • "South Sudan: UN Mission (UNMISS) establishes "Protected Areas" to ensure humanitarian access" (September 1, 2011, UN News Centre)