President Yoweri Museveni held urgent discussions with European Union diplomats on Wednesday as regional tensions reached boiling point over South Sudan’s worsening political crisis. The high-level meeting at State House Entebbe brought together Uganda’s long-serving leader and a delegation from the EU Mission in Uganda led by Ambassador Jan Sadek, with security concerns dominating the agenda.

The talks occurred against the backdrop of alarming developments in neighboring South Sudan, where African Union mediators are scrambling to prevent renewed civil war. President Museveni confirmed the discussions in a post on his official X account, stating they had addressed “several issues of security in the region and South Sudan.” The Ugandan leader emphasized the importance of continued Uganda-EU cooperation in stabilizing the volatile Great Lakes region.

The timing of the diplomatic engagement couldn’t be more critical. South Sudan – the world’s youngest nation – faces its most severe political crisis since the 2018 peace agreement that ended five years of brutal civil war. Tensions exploded in early April when President Salva Kiir placed First Vice President Riek Machar under house arrest, accusing his longtime rival of plotting rebellion. The move triggered violent clashes between their respective supporters, reviving fears of another devastating conflict.

African Union mediators have been shuttling between the warring factions in Juba, attempting to broker a ceasefire. But observers warn the situation remains precarious, with both sides reportedly mobilizing forces. The 2013-2018 civil war left nearly 400,000 dead and displaced millions before the fragile power-sharing arrangement brought uneasy calm.

Complicating matters, the United States recently escalated pressure by revoking visas for South Sudanese officials and citizens. State Department officials cited Juba’s refusal to accept deportees from America as the immediate cause, but experts view the move as part of broader frustration with South Sudan’s stalled democratic transition and rampant corruption.

The EU has emerged as a key player in the crisis, pumping millions into governance programs and peace initiatives. Ambassador Sadek’s meeting with Museveni signals Brussels’ desire to coordinate with regional power brokers. Uganda, which hosts over a million South Sudanese refugees and maintains close ties with Juba’s leadership, finds itself in a delicate position.

As chair of the East African Community, Museveni has positioned himself as a regional peacemaker. But Uganda’s complex relationship with South Sudan – involving security cooperation, oil interests, and historical alliances – makes neutral mediation challenging. During the previous civil war, Kampala deployed troops to back Kiir’s government, a move that drew criticism from Machar’s faction.

Analysts suggest Museveni now faces pressure to help de-escalate tensions without appearing to take sides. “Uganda has leverage but must use it carefully,” said Kampala-based political analyst Patrick Mugume. “Another South Sudan collapse would mean more refugees flooding into Uganda and regional instability affecting trade routes.”

The EU’s heightened engagement reflects growing international concern. Beyond South Sudan, discussions likely touched on other regional hotspots including eastern DR Congo, where Ugandan forces are participating in an East African Community military mission against rebel groups.

With nearly 2.3 million South Sudanese already displaced internally and another 2.3 million sheltering in neighboring countries, aid agencies warn renewed conflict could overwhelm already strained humanitarian operations. Uganda hosts the largest contingent of South Sudanese refugees, many in sprawling settlements in the north.

The EU has been a major donor to Uganda’s refugee response, contributing over €200 million in recent years. But officials fear funds could dry up if donors shift focus to emergency response inside South Sudan.

Neither side disclosed specific outcomes from Wednesday’s meeting, but sources suggest the EU sought Uganda’s support for coordinated diplomatic pressure on South Sudan’s leaders. Possible measures include:

• Pushing for immediate release of political detainees
• Supporting expanded African Union mediation efforts
• Aligning sanctions policies with other international partners

For Uganda, the crisis presents both risks and opportunities. Successful mediation could burnish Museveni’s statesman credentials, while missteps could damage relations with key partners.

As night fell on Entebbe, the mood remained tense. With regional stability hanging in the balance, all eyes turn to whether this flurry of diplomacy can prevent another tragic chapter in South Sudan’s troubled history. One thing is certain – as goes South Sudan, so goes the security outlook for much of East Africa.

The coming days will test whether Museveni’s engagement with European partners can help pull the region back from the brink. For millions of South Sudanese civilians and their neighbors, the stakes couldn’t be higher.