U.S. Evacuates Nonemergency Staff as Tensions Rise in South Sudan

The U.S. has ordered nonemergency government staff to leave South Sudan amid escalating tensions due to ongoing fighting and recent arrests related to Vice President Riek Machar. The U.N. has condemned attacks complicating the situation, emphasizing the need to uphold the peace process and human rights.

The United States State Department has issued an order for nonemergency government personnel to evacuate South Sudan’s capital, Juba, due to an escalation of tensions stemming from ongoing combat in the northern regions. A travel advisory highlighted the readily available arms within the civilian population amid the conflict that intensified recently.

Violence flared on Tuesday when an armed group engaged the national army, which resulted in the detention of two government ministers and a deputy army chief associated with Vice President Riek Machar. The surrounding of Machar’s residence by military forces and the arrests have raised concerns regarding the potential destabilization of the peace agreement established between Machar and President Salva Kiir.

The civil war in South Sudan, which lasted from 2013 to 2018, resulted in over 400,000 fatalities. Although a peace accord was signed by Kiir and Machar in 2018, the terms of implementation continue to face significant challenges. Recently, complications arose following an attack on a U.N. helicopter during an evacuation mission, which has been classified as a potential war crime.

On Saturday, the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned that ongoing violence could jeopardize the fragile peace process. Yasmin Sooka, chairperson of the commission, expressed concern over the regression in peace efforts, urging leaders to prioritize the peace dialogue and human rights of the South Sudanese populace to ensure a smooth transition to democracy.

In summary, the U.S. State Department has taken measures to secure nonemergency government staff in South Sudan amid rising tensions and violence. The situation threatens the nation’s fragile peace agreement established after years of civil war. Continued violence and recent assaults on U.N. missions underscore the urgency for political leaders to recommit to peace and democracy in the region.

Original Source: apnews.com