The U.S. State Department has ordered nonemergency personnel to evacuate South Sudan’s capital due to rising tensions and ongoing fighting. Recent clashes led to arrests of high-ranking officials linked to Vice President Riek Machar, heightening fears for peace agreements. U.N. concerns over violence and security have also emerged, with calls for adherence to human rights amid deteriorating conditions.
The U.S. State Department has ordered nonemergency government personnel to evacuate South Sudan’s capital amid increasing tensions due to ongoing combat in the northern regions. A recent travel advisory highlighted that fighting persists and emphasizes the widespread availability of weapons among the population.
Conflicts erupted when armed groups engaged with the national army, resulting in the apprehension of two government ministers and a deputy army chief linked to Vice President Riek Machar. Reports indicate that Machar’s residence was under military siege, with his supporters claiming such arrests jeopardize the existing peace agreement.
From 2013 to 2018, South Sudan experienced a devastating civil war, resulting in over 400,000 fatalities. A peace deal signed by President Salva Kiir and Machar in 2018 continues to be implemented, but recent violence poses significant risks to its success.
Additionally, the security deteriorated following an attack on a U.N. helicopter engaged in an evacuation mission, which the U.N. Human Rights body classified as a potential war crime. Consequently, the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan cautioned that the escalation of violence might undermine the nation’s peace agreement.
Yasmin Sooka, chairperson of the U.N. Commission, expressed concerns over the threats to South Sudan’s peace process, stating, “We are witnessing an alarming regression that could erase years of hard-won progress. Leaders must urgently refocus on the peace process, uphold the human rights of South Sudanese citizens, and ensure a smooth transition to democracy.”
The United States has taken immediate steps to safeguard its personnel due to escalating violence and instability in South Sudan, particularly in light of recent clashes involving government officials. The ongoing conflict presents serious threats to the fragile peace established in 2018, with both domestic leaders and international bodies urging a renewed commitment to human rights and stable governance.
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