The U.S. State Department has ordered the departure of non-emergency staff from South Sudan due to escalating violence between political factions threatening the fragile power-sharing agreement between President Kiir and Vice President Machar. Recent clashes and a fatal attack on a UN helicopter have raised international alarm regarding the stability of the region and the threat of ethnic violence.
On March 9, 2025, the United States State Department announced the evacuation of all non-emergency personnel from South Sudan amid escalating tensions and violence in the region. This decision follows relentless clashes between the forces of President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, jeopardizing a delicate power-sharing arrangement between the two leaders. The unrest has prompted concern from the international community as the situation continues to deteriorate.
Recent incidents, including an attack on a United Nations helicopter during a rescue operation, have heightened alarm. This assault resulted in the death of a crew member and an army general. In light of the prevailing risks, the State Department emphasized the urgency of their directive: “Due to the risks in the country, on March 8, 2025, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency US government employees from South Sudan.”
As armed conflict intensifies, fighting involves multiple political and ethnic factions, with weapons widely accessible to the populace. South Sudan, the youngest nation globally, ended its civil war in 2018 with a power-sharing deal between Kiir and Machar. Nonetheless, tensions remain as Kiir’s supporters accuse Machar’s allies of inciting unrest, particularly in Upper Nile State’s Nasir County with the assistance of a local armed group known as the White Army.
President Kiir has publicly urged for calm, assuring citizens that a return to war is unacceptable. Conversely, international monitors express serious concerns about the implications of the current unrest. The UN Human Rights Commission for South Sudan reported an “alarming regression” threatening the peace progress achieved over the years. The International Crisis Group cautioned that South Sudan is dangerously close to a total conflict, warning of potential “large scale ethnic massacres if the situation is not soon contained.”
The withdrawal of non-emergency U.S. personnel from South Sudan illustrates the growing international concern regarding the country’s escalating violence and the fragility of its political stability. With internal clashes threatening the power-sharing agreement between President Kiir and Vice President Machar, experts warn of the potential for catastrophic consequences if the situation continues unaddressed. The call for vigilance and proactive measures is crucial to prevent a descent into widespread conflict.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
