The fighting in South Sudan pushed at least 85 people into Uganda on March 27, 2025. These asylum seekers crossed at Busia Border in the Koboko district. Women and children made up part of this group, fleeing the violence. They escaped as battles heated up between forces loyal to President Kiir and Vice President Machar.
The 2018 peace deal between these two leaders appears ready to break apart completely. Many fear South Sudan might return to full civil war. The rebel group SPLA-IO grabbed control of the Busia Border area. Uganda then closed this crossing point, blocking anyone from entering South Sudan.
Police official Collins Asea confirmed that local authorities received these asylum seekers. "We continue to receive refugees from...
Uganda says it didn't use chemical weapons or barrel bombs against South Sudanese people. The Ugandan army went to South Sudan after President Kiir asked for help during fights with the White Army, which supports Vice President Machar. Many experts believe that Ugandan troops came mainly to keep President Kiir from running the country. Stories spread across the internet claiming Ugandan planes dropped harmful chemicals on areas where the White Army operates, especially in Upper Nile and Jonglei states.
These claims became big news worldwide and even made Ugandan lawmakers ask questions. Colonel Chris Magezi, speaking for the Defense Ministry Friday, denied everything. He said Ugandan forces simply don't have chemical weapons at all. He...
African troops from the south plan to leave Goma city in eastern Congo. On March 28, they made a deal with M23 rebels. Military chiefs from both sides put their plans on paper after talking at the Serena Hotel. Leaders from South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania met with M23 commanders face to face.
The Southern African Development Community decided to withdraw its forces because it ran into big problems. M23 fighters had taken over Goma and its airport, which meant supply trucks and planes couldn't reach the African peacekeepers. Without food, fuel, and bullets, these troops found themselves stuck.
The signed papers say M23 promised to help SADC soldiers leave safely with all their guns and equipment. However, any weapons...
Leaders from nearby African countries jumped into action Friday when former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga flew to South Sudan. The regional group IGAD sent him to meet President Salva Kiir as the country faces serious problems. His trip came right after South Sudanese soldiers arrested Vice President Riek Machar on March 26. Everyone worries this arrest might start another civil war like the one that killed 400,000 people a few years ago.
IGAD later told reporters that Odinga had good talks with President Kiir about keeping the country peaceful. Odinga apparently feels they can fix things without more fighting and promised IGAD would keep helping. South Sudan's government also talked about the meeting, saying Odinga came...
Uganda lost 604 billion shillings for healthcare after President Trump cut all foreign aid. He signed an order on January 20, 2025, wiping out money for HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB programs. Health Minister Dr. Ruth Aceng told lawmakers Friday that the cuts also stopped funding for nutrition services and paychecks for many health workers.
Dr. Aceng listed what vanished: $243.2 billion from HIV/AIDS care, $121 billion from malaria prevention, $67.8 billion from health staff pay, $60.2 billion from TB treatment, $36.9 billion from health data systems, and $22.2 billion from medical waste cleanup. These cuts matter because 1.3 million Ugandans take HIV drugs funded by America through PEPFAR. Only 26,000 people had those medicines back in...
Kenya's William Ruto asked former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to visit South Sudan starting Friday. Before sending Odinga, Ruto talked with leaders from Uganda and Ethiopia - President Museveni and Prime Minister Abiy. Odinga needs to calm things down after South Sudan arrested First Vice President Riek Machar and his wife Angelina Teny, who runs the country's Interior Affairs ministry.
Ruto already called President Salva Kiir directly about this tense situation. "I called President Kiir about what led to Vice President Machar's arrest," Ruto explained. He mentioned consulting with neighboring leaders before picking Odinga as his messenger to assess the crisis and report back with updates.
The African Union plans to help fix this...
Seven Western countries want South Sudan's president to free his deputy immediately. The United States, United Kingdom, France, Norway, Netherlands, Germany, and the European Union released a statement on Thursday about Dr. Riek Machar's house arrest. They expressed "grave concern" about what happened Wednesday evening. The diplomats directly asked President Salva Kiir to reverse his decision.
These nations reminded everyone that Machar's position exists because of the 2018 Peace Agreement. They urged Kiir and all other leaders who control armed groups to order an immediate ceasefire. The statement emphasized how urgent it is for all parties to start talking directly with each other. They need to prove they really want peace.
Machar's...
The Ugandan military finally said sorry for how badly their soldiers acted during the recent Kawempe North parliament vote. They apologized after many people across Uganda became angry, plus lots of international groups complained about the violence. Soldiers had beaten regular citizens, reporters, and people who supported opposition candidates. Many believed the military did this to scare voters away because Kawempe North typically votes against the current government.
Lieutenant General Samuel Okiding apologized when he talked to Parliament's Defence Committee on Thursday. He called what happened "operational mistakes" and said beating people goes against military rules. He claimed some soldiers just lost control when people provoked...
The African Union and the United Nations are raising alarms about South Sudan's First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, being detained. Both organizations want immediate calm, national talks, and everyone sticking with the existing peace deal instead of fighting each other again.
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from the African Union expressed deep worries today about Machar's arrest. He reminded everyone that the peace agreement called R-ARCSS remains essential for keeping South Sudan stable and helping its people heal from past conflicts.
The African Union believes all groups must reduce tensions and respect their agreements. Their main goal is to ensure that conditions exist for lasting peace to grow and for the country to develop normally...
