JUBA — Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni landed in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, on Thursday for urgent talks aimed at preventing a return to civil war.
His visit came after the house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar last week, a development that has increased tensions in the country.
Museveni, a guarantor of the 2018 peace deal, was welcomed at Juba International Airport by President Salva Kiir Mayardit and several government officials.
“I have arrived in South Sudan at the invitation of His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit. I look forward to our discussion aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation between our two nations,” said a statement from his press unit.
Museveni is expected to hold a meeting with President Salva Kiir this afternoon and his deputy, Dr. Riek Machar, who is currently under house arrest, which is escalating tensions.
The arrest follows weeks of escalating clashes between Machar’s forces and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces near the capital, Juba.
Regional leaders and bodies have been calling for restraint and de-escalation of the situation.
