U.S. Evacuates Non-Emergency Staff from South Sudan Amid Rising Tensions
The U.S. has ordered non-emergency staff to leave South Sudan due to escalating tensions and recent clashes threatening a fragile power-sharing agreement between President Kiir and Vice President Machar. A UN helicopter was recently attacked during a rescue mission, raising international alarm. Both U.N. and think tanks warn of severe implications, including a potential return to war and ethnic massacres.
The United States has instructed all non-emergency personnel in South Sudan to evacuate amidst escalating conflicts, as announced by the State Department on Sunday. Both President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar’s fragile power-sharing agreement is now in jeopardy due to increasing clashes among their supporting forces, primarily in the northeastern Upper Nile State.
Recently, a UN helicopter on a rescue mission was attacked, resulting in the death of a crew member and an army general. The situation has led to heightened international concern, prompting Kiir to call for calm and assure citizens that there will be no resurgence of war.
The Department of State highlighted the dangers in South Sudan, stating, “Armed conflict is ongoing and includes fighting between various political and ethnic groups. Weapons are readily available to the population.” This instability endangers both civilians and the fragile peace established following the end of a civil war in 2018.
Tensions have escalated, with Kiir’s allies accusing Machar’s forces of inciting unrest in Nasir County. The United Nations Human Rights Commission in South Sudan has expressed alarm over what it perceives as an “alarming regression” that risks undoing the progress towards peace achieved over the past five years.
The International Crisis Group has cautioned that South Sudan is on the verge of widespread conflict, warning against the potential for large-scale ethnic massacres without immediate intervention to address the situation.
In conclusion, the U.S. withdrawal of non-emergency personnel from South Sudan underscores the escalating tensions following recent clashes between political factions. The viability of the power-sharing agreement between Kiir and Machar is threatened, leading to increased international scrutiny. The U.N. and several organizations have expressed grave concerns regarding the potential for renewed violence and ethnic conflicts if these issues remain unaddressed.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
