U.S. Orders Evacuation of Nonemergency Staff from South Sudan Amid Conflict Escalation
The U.S. has ordered nonemergency personnel to leave South Sudan due to rising tensions from ongoing violence. A recent clash has led to high-profile arrests linked to Vice President Riek Machar, jeopardizing peace efforts. Additionally, a U.N. helicopter was attacked, aggravating security concerns. The U.N. warns that this violence threatens the peace agreement established in 2018, emphasizing the need for a renewed focus on human rights and stability in the region.
The U.S. State Department has mandated the evacuation of nonemergency government personnel from South Sudan’s capital due to escalating tensions linked to recent violence. As outlined in a travel advisory, this situation is exacerbated by the availability of weapons to the populace amidst ongoing armed conflicts.
Conflict erupted recently in northern South Sudan, resulting in clashes between armed groups and the nation’s army. This unrest has led to the detention of two government ministers and a deputy army chief associated with Vice President Riek Machar, whose residence has been surrounded by military forces amid claims that these arrests endanger the peace agreement.
From 2013 to 2018, South Sudan suffered a devastating civil war, claiming over 400,000 lives. The existing peace agreement, signed by President Salva Kiir and Vice President Machar in 2018, is still in the implementation stage, with fresh violence jeopardizing its stability.
An incident on Friday involving the attack on a U.N. helicopter engaged in an evacuation mission has further complicated the security landscape, with a U.N. rights body deeming the attack as a potential war crime. Therefore, the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has expressed that the escalating violence and rising tensions in Juba pose risks to the fragile peace in the nation.
In conclusion, the U.S. has prioritized the safety of its nonemergency personnel as tensions in South Sudan mount. The resurgence of violence, particularly in Northern regions, alongside governmental arrests related to the peace agreement, raises serious concerns about the stability of the country. The expressed urgency from the U.N. underscores the pressing need for South Sudan’s leaders to recommit to the peace process and uphold human rights to prevent further regression into conflict.
Original Source: apnews.com
