Juba, South Sudan – Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has arrived in South Sudan at the invitation of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, marking a key diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and regional stability.
He was received at Juba International Airport by his host, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, along with top South Sudanese officials, including Minister of Presidential Affairs Hon. Chol Mawut Ajongo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hon. Ramadan Muhammed Abdalla, and Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs Hon. Chol Thon Balok.
On the Ugandan side, those welcoming President Museveni included Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, Senior Presidential Advisor on Defense and Security Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso, and Uganda’s Ambassador to South Sudan, H.E. Brig. Gen. Ronnie Balya.
Upon arrival, President Museveni inspected a guard of honor before proceeding to bilateral talks with President Kiir and other key stakeholders. “I look forward to our discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation between our two nations,” he said on his X platform.
Museveni’s visit comes against the backdrop of Uganda’s recent deployment of troops to South Sudan at Kiir’s request following disagreements with his political rival and Vice President, Riek Machar.
The security situation in the country remains fragile following renewed tensions sparked by the Nasir crisis, which has raised concerns among regional and international observers.
Earlier, President Kiir reassured the African Union (AU) of his government’s commitment to implementing the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (RARCSS). The peace deal, signed in 2018, aims to foster political reconciliation, security sector reforms, and national unity in the war-torn nation.
Kiir’s assurances were echoed during discussions with the visiting African Union Panel of the Wise, a high-level delegation tasked with assessing the political, security, and humanitarian landscape in South Sudan.
Leading the delegation, former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye reiterated the AU’s commitment to promoting peace, dialogue, and reconciliation. “We are here to engage with all stakeholders and ensure that the spirit of peace and unity prevails in South Sudan,” Ndayizeye said in a media briefing.
Museveni’s visit is expected to focus on regional security cooperation, trade relations, and mechanisms for sustaining peace efforts in the country. Uganda, a key player in South Sudan’s stability, has long maintained a strategic interest in ensuring peace, given the historical ties and economic interdependence between the two nations.