The U.S. State Department has ordered nonemergency staff to leave South Sudan as tensions rise due to ongoing violence, including clashes involving Vice President Riek Machar. The U.N. has labeled recent attacks as potential war crimes, and officials express concerns over the stability of the peace agreement established in 2018. Yasmin Sooka emphasized the need for renewed commitment to peace and human rights.
The United States State Department, on Sunday, mandated the departure of nonemergency government personnel from the capital of South Sudan as fighting in the northern regions escalates. The travel advisory highlighted the ongoing conflict, warning that “weapons are readily available to the population,” which could heighten risks for U.S. citizens.
On Tuesday, an armed faction clashed with the national army, resulting in the detention of two government ministers and a deputy army chief, aligned with Vice President Riek Machar. Supporters of Machar claim that these detentions pose a significant threat to the fragile peace agreement previously established.
South Sudan has a fraught history, having experienced a brutal civil war from 2013 to 2018, which resulted in over 400,000 fatalities. The peace accord signed between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Machar in 2018 is still in the slow process of being implemented.
Recent developments indicate a worsening security environment, such as the attack on a U.N. helicopter involved in an evacuation mission, an incident that a U.N. rights body labeled a “war crime.” The U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has warned that the escalating violence could threaten the country’s peace agreement, with particular concern over the situation in Juba.
Yasmin Sooka, chairperson of the Commission, stated, “We are witnessing an alarming regression that could erase years of hard-won progress.” She urged leaders to prioritize the peace process, uphold human rights for South Sudanese citizens, and facilitate a smooth transition to democracy.
The situation in South Sudan remains precarious, with the U.S. government advising nonemergency personnel to evacuate amidst increasing hostilities. The ongoing unrest, marked by clashes and significant arrests, raises alarms regarding the stability of the peace agreement signed in 2018. The international community must intervene to halt the regression and support the transition to a peaceful and democratic South Sudan.
Original Source: www.local10.com
