The U.S. State Department has ordered nonemergency personnel to evacuate South Sudan amid escalating tensions and ongoing fighting, exacerbated by recent arrests of key officials. The violent situation threatens the 2018 peace agreement established between competing factions. The U.N. has condemned attacks on humanitarian missions and warned that current conflicts risk undermining peace efforts.
On Sunday, the U.S. State Department mandated the departure of nonemergency government personnel from South Sudan’s capital due to escalating tensions from ongoing violent conflicts in the northern region. A travel advisory underscored that fighting persists and that weapons remain accessible to the general populace.
The unrest intensified following an armed group’s confrontation with the national army, which resulted in the detention of two government ministers and a deputy army chief associated with Vice President Riek Machar, a former rebel leader. His residence has reportedly been surrounded by military forces, prompting concerns from Machar’s supporters that these arrests could undermine the fragile peace agreement established in 2018.
South Sudan has experienced a tumultuous history, having been embroiled in civil war from 2013 until 2018, resulting in over 400,000 fatalities. Although a peace agreement was reached between President Salva Kiir and Machar, its implementation remains incomplete.
Compounding the crisis, an attack on a U.N. helicopter conducting an evacuation mission on Friday exacerbated security concerns. The U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan indicated that such an attack is regarded as a potential war crime. On Saturday, the commission highlighted that ongoing violence in the north and growing tensions in Juba could jeopardize the fragile peace.
Yasmin Sooka, the chairperson of the U.N. rights body, remarked on the dangerous regression of peace efforts, urging leaders to redirect their focus toward advancing the peace process, safeguarding human rights for South Sudanese citizens, and facilitating a transition to democracy.
In conclusion, the U.S. has issued a travel advisory and directed nonemergency personnel to evacuate South Sudan due to rising tensions and violence. The arrest of key figures threatens existing peace agreements, prompting urgent calls for leaders to prioritize human rights and the peace process. The situation remains precarious, underscoring the need for continued international attention.
Original Source: www.2news.com
