The United States has ordered non-emergency personnel to vacate South Sudan due to increasing violence and crime. The travel advisory remains at Level 4, advising against travel to the region. Recent political tensions threaten the stability established by a 2018 peace deal between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar.
The United States has mandated the immediate departure of non-emergency personnel from the capital of South Sudan due to rising crime rates, including kidnappings and armed conflicts, as announced by the Department of State. The travel advisory for South Sudan remains at Level 4, indicating immense caution, and recommending against travel to the country.
The advisory highlights the prevalence of violent crime such as carjackings, shootings, assaults, and robberies throughout South Sudan, particularly in Juba. It also indicates that foreign nationals have faced serious threats, including rape and armed robbery. Furthermore, the U.S. government has limited capabilities to provide emergency consular assistance in South Sudan.
Recent violence has escalated in South Sudan, jeopardizing a fragile peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. The pair signed a peace deal in 2018, which aimed to conclude a devastating civil war that claimed over 400,000 lives. Despite being in a unity government, their relationship remains tense, with ongoing political rivalry impeding lasting peace.
The State Department issues travel advisories to inform citizens of safety risks abroad, with Level 4 being reserved for scenarios involving substantial life-threatening danger. At this advisory level, Americans are advised to take precautions, including making wills and providing DNA samples for identification.
The advisory further encourages any Americans who choose to visit South Sudan to exercise extreme caution in all areas, including Juba. A number of other countries, such as Ukraine, Russia, Syria, and Iraq, are similarly classified under Level 4 by the State Department.
The U.S. government’s decision to evacuate non-emergency personnel from South Sudan underscores the increasing violence and crime in the country. With a Level 4 travel advisory in place, Americans are cautioned against traveling to South Sudan. The ongoing political tensions between the government leaders further complicate the situation, raising concerns about regional stability and security for foreign nationals.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
