The U.S. has ordered non-emergency personnel to leave South Sudan amid rising crime and conflict, maintaining a Level 4 travel advisory, which warns against travel to the region. The security situation is further complicated by tensions linked to a fragile peace agreement between key political leaders, with a recent UN helicopter attack worsening the crisis.
The United States government has mandated the immediate evacuation of non-emergency personnel from South Sudan’s capital due to escalating safety concerns, including increased crime, kidnapping, and armed conflict. The Department of State issued this directive on Sunday as part of a heightened travel advisory, currently at Level 4, discouraging Americans from traveling to South Sudan.
The travel advisory outlines severe criminal activity prevalent in the region, such as carjackings, shootings, and kidnappings, which increasingly target foreign nationals. The advisory further warns of ongoing violence and states that “weapons are readily available to the population,” while noting the limited capability of the U.S. government to provide emergency consular services in South Sudan.
The warning coincides with rising tensions surrounding the fragile peace agreement established in 2018 between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Recent clashes in Upper Nile State led to the detention of significant political figures supporting Mr. Machar, escalating fears regarding the stability of the peace accord.
During these developments, military personnel have surrounded the residence of Mr. Machar in Juba without official explanation. Supporters of the first vice president have voiced concerns that such actions could jeopardize the already tenuous peace that concluded a prior civil war between the factions led by Mr. Machar and President Kiir.
Additionally, an incident involving an attack on a United Nations helicopter during an evacuation operation in Nasir has further intensified the security crisis. In response to these developments, the State Department has urged any American citizens in South Sudan to “exercise extreme caution,” particularly in Juba. Attempts to obtain comments from Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth were unsuccessful.
In summary, the U.S. government’s order for non-emergency personnel to vacate South Sudan highlights alarming safety concerns, including rampant crime and potential threats to foreign nationals. The ongoing political instability poses a significant risk to the fragile peace established in 2018. Americans in the region are strongly advised to exercise heightened vigilance in light of the current security crisis.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
