U.S. Orders Nonemergency Personnel to Evacuate South Sudan Amid Rising Tensions
The U.S. has ordered nonemergency personnel to leave South Sudan due to escalating violence. Clashes have resulted in government arrests and heightened tension around Vice President Riek Machar. A U.N. attack complicates the situation, while the U.N. Commission warns that peace efforts are threatened. Chairperson Yasmin Sooka calls for renewed focus on peace and human rights.
The U.S. State Department has mandated the departure of nonemergency government personnel from South Sudan’s capital, Juba, amid rising tensions due to ongoing fighting in the northern regions. The travel advisory highlights that violence is prevalent and warns that “weapons are readily available to the population.”
Recent clashes between an armed group and the national army resulted in the detention of two government ministers and a deputy army chief associated with Vice President Riek Machar. This escalation raised concerns as Machar’s residence was surrounded by military forces, prompting his supporters to assert that such actions jeopardize the existing peace agreement.
Between 2013 and 2018, South Sudan was engulfed in civil war, claiming over 400,000 lives. A peace accord reached in 2018 between President Salva Kiir and rival Machar is still being implemented. The situation further deteriorated when a U.N. helicopter was attacked during an evacuation mission, leading to its designation as a “war crime” by a U.N. rights body.
The U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has expressed grave concerns that the escalating violence and the situations in Juba pose a significant risk to the future of the peace agreement. Yasmin Sooka, the chairperson, emphasized the need for leaders to prioritize peace and human rights, stating, “We are witnessing an alarming regression that could erase years of hard-won progress. Rather than fueling division and conflict, leaders must urgently refocus on the peace process, uphold the human rights of South Sudanese citizens, and ensure a smooth transition to democracy.”
The U.S. evacuation of nonemergency personnel underscores the increasing tensions in South Sudan, marked by ongoing fighting and significant political unrest. The potential derailment of the 2018 peace agreement raises critical concerns, as highlighted by the U.N. Commission on Human Rights. Ensuring a stable peace process and safeguarding human rights remain urgent priorities for South Sudan’s leadership.
Original Source: www.2news.com
