The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) has urged the United Nations Security Council to hold the Ugandan government accountable for what it described as Uganda’s direct military involvement in South Sudan’s ongoing civil war.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the SPLA-IO called on the Security Council to review the enforcement of the arms embargo imposed on South Sudan, arguing that the presence of Ugandan troops and military equipment inside the country constitutes a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions. The movement accused Uganda of directly intervening in the conflict by deploying its forces in support of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).
The appeal follows reports that Ugandan troops entered South Sudan through the Nimule border crossing to join SSPDF forces, as fighting resumed in several parts of the country. According to the SPLA-IO, this deployment represents a breach of international law and undermines efforts to stabilise the fragile peace process.
Uganda has been militarily involved in South Sudan since the outbreak of the civil war in December 2013, when it intervened alongside government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir against opposition forces led by Dr Riek Machar. At the time, Kampala justified its intervention as necessary to protect civilians, key installations, and the capital, Juba. However, the involvement soon escalated into direct combat against the SPLA-IO.
President Yoweri Museveni ordered the rapid deployment of Ugandan troops to South Sudan in 2016 following renewed fighting in Juba, with Ugandan forces focusing on securing the capital, providing training, and guarding strategic sites. The SPLA-IO alleges that Uganda has continued to support President Kiir’s government, including the deployment of special forces in March 2025, further entrenching its role in the conflict.
Tensions between President Kiir and opposition leader Dr Machar have repeatedly flared over the years, with the SPLA-IO accusing Uganda of issuing warnings against any attempt to overthrow the government. These developments have fuelled broader accusations of serious violations, including the alleged use of prohibited weapons during periods of heightened conflict.
The UN Security Council imposed an arms embargo on South Sudan in 2018, banning the transfer of weapons, ammunition, military vehicles, and related technical assistance to the war-torn nation. The sanctions regime was renewed under Resolution 2781, which reaffirmed the need for accountability and strict enforcement against violations.
Despite the conflict, South Sudan and Uganda have maintained close political, economic, and cultural relations, benefiting from cross-border trade, educational cooperation, and development initiatives. The SPLA-IO, however, argues that Uganda’s continued military involvement risks further destabilising South Sudan and undermining regional and international peace efforts.
