The U.S. State Department has ordered the evacuation of nonemergency personnel from South Sudan due to escalating tensions and ongoing fighting in the northern region. Arrests of government officials linked to Vice President Riek Machar have raised fears of destabilizing the fragile peace agreement, which follows years of civil war. The U.N. has warned that recent violence threatens the country’s transition to stability and democracy.
On Sunday, the U.S. State Department mandated that nonemergency government personnel evacuate South Sudan’s capital due to rising tensions stemming from ongoing hostilities in the northern region. The travel advisory emphasized the precarious situation, noting the widespread availability of arms among civilians.
Recent skirmishes between armed factions and South Sudan’s national army culminated in the detainment of two government ministers and a deputy army chief, who is affiliated with former rebel leader and Vice President Riek Machar. This escalating conflict has led to increased military presence around Machar’s residence, as supporters express concerns over the ramifications of the arrests on the existing peace agreement.
From 2013 to 2018, South Sudan was engulfed in a civil war that resulted in over 400,000 fatalities. A peace agreement signed by President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar in 2018 is still under implementation and is now at risk due to the latest upheaval. Compounding the security crisis, a U.N. helicopter on an evacuation mission was recently attacked in the north, an act described by a U.N. rights body as a potential war crime.
The U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned that the violence in northern regions and the rising tensions in Juba pose a serious threat to the peace agreement. Chairperson Yasmin Sooka characterized the developments as an alarming setback that threatens the achievements made over years. She urged leaders to prioritize the peace process, protect human rights, and ensure a democratic transition in the country.
The U.S. has taken steps to ensure the safety of its nonemergency personnel in South Sudan amidst escalating violence and a deteriorating security climate. The continued clashes and political tensions highlight the fragility of the ongoing peace process. The international community is called to support efforts towards maintaining peace and human rights as the situation remains volatile.
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