President Museveni 's visit to Juba is hopped to bear fruits in trying to provide a lasting solution to South Sudan conflict.
This as he concluded an official visit to Juba at the request of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
The visit comes at a critical time as tensions between Kiir and his longtime rival, Riek Machar, threaten to unravel years of fragile peace efforts.
Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has been trapped in a cycle of violence and broken agreements.
Multiple peace initiatives have been launched, including the 2014 Addis Ababa Agreement, the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, and the more recent 2024 Tumaini Peace Initiative held in Nairobi. While these efforts momentarily reduced tensions, they have largely failed to deliver sustained peace on the ground.
Museveni, a key regional player with historical ties to both Kiir and Machar, is viewed by many analysts as a credible mediator.
“Museveni’s historical ties with both Kiir and Machar position him uniquely to mediate this crisis,” said Dr. Sam Kazibwe, a senior analyst.
Hajji Kassim Kayira, a senior international journalist, echoed the sentiment, noting, “Given Museveni’s pan-African stance and prior involvement in South Sudan’s peace processes, his intervention could be instrumental.”
The two analysts, however, cautioned that the success of any mediation effort lies squarely on the shoulders of the two South Sudanese leaders.
“Machar and Kiir must rise above personal grievances and respect the 2018 peace agreement,” Kazibwe said. “If they fail to compromise, even Museveni’s influence may not be enough.”
Museveni’s visit, though warmly received by Juba’s leadership, has not been without controversy.
Criticism is mounting over the reported deployment of UPDF in South Sudan’s Upper Nile region.
Opposition groups, particularly those aligned with Machar’s SPLM-IO, have voiced concerns, claiming the deployment violates existing peace arrangements.
Adding to the tension, reports emerged last week that Machar had been placed under house arrest, leading his faction to declare the peace deal effectively collapsed.
The United Nations and other global observers have expressed concern about a possible return to full-scale civil war.
While Museveni’s presence in Juba may signal a renewed regional push for peace, observers agree that time is running out.
The path forward hinges not only on diplomatic pressure but also on the political will of South Sudan’s leaders to finally put their country first.