Description: Elements within the armed forces of South Sudan and Uganda have initiated armed confrontations which resulted in the death of more than 6 people. Officials from both countries have provided opposing claims with Uganda’s Major General Felix Kulayigye, stating that South Sudanese soldiers have entered Uganda’s territory, set up camp and refused to leave, while South Sudan’s response indicated that Uganda was ready for a prolonged fighting, having tanks and artillery barrages set up along the border region. Uganda in Mar sent negotiators and members of its special forces units to South Sudan in support of the country’s controversial President, Salva Kiir, after old animosities with his political opponent, Riek Machar, caused a political crisis in the country. The countries have an ongoing border dispute which is active since South Sudan’s independence in 2011 and is being resolved through a joint border committee.
Impact: The language used in the official responses from both governments indicates that the border clashes were objectively initiated by elements withing the armed forces on both sides and were never sanctioned by defense officials within both governments. Uganda has demonstrated undisputed support for South Sudan’s President and is heavily invested in keeping him in power while facilitating support for the ouster of his political opponents and their armed militias. South Sudan has been in perpetual instability over the past couple of months as Kiir continued his repressive neutralization of his political opponents which may negatively impact sudden armed confrontations and potentially cause escalation. The incident has been isolated, and immediate negotiations have been reportedly active, which signals rapid de-escalation.