The U.S. State Department has ordered nonemergency personnel to leave South Sudan’s capital amid rising tensions from ongoing fighting. Recent clashes have led to significant political arrests, raising concerns over the stability of the peace agreement signed in 2018. The U.N. warns that escalating violence threatens the prospect of peace and democracy in the region.
On Sunday, the U.S. State Department mandated the departure of nonemergency government personnel from South Sudan’s capital, Juba, due to escalating tensions from ongoing fighting in the northern regions. A travel advisory emphasized the critical situation, noting that weapons are readily accessible to the populace.
Recent clashes involving an armed group and the national army led to the arrest of two government ministers and a deputy army chief associated with Vice President Riek Machar, a former rebel. These arrests have heightened fears among Machar’s supporters, who believe this could jeopardize the existing peace agreement in the nation.
From 2013 to 2018, South Sudan experienced a devastating civil war, resulting in over 400,000 fatalities. A peace agreement signed in 2018 between President Salva Kiir and Machar is still being implemented, but recent events raise concerns about its stability.
The security situation deteriorated further on Friday when an attack occurred on a U.N. helicopter during an evacuation mission in the north, deemed a potential war crime. The U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned that escalating violence and rising tensions in Juba threaten the integrity of the peace agreement.
Chairperson Yasmin Sooka of the U.N. Commission expressed profound concern, 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.”
In summary, the U.S. government has ordered the departure of nonemergency personnel from South Sudan amid escalating violence and political turmoil. Significant concerns have emerged following the arrest of key political figures associated with Vice President Riek Machar, potentially jeopardizing the fragile peace agreement established after the civil war. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the urgent need for adherence to human rights and a commitment to democratic processes.
Original Source: www.local10.com
