The United States State Department has ordered non-emergency Government personnel to leave South Sudan’s capital, Juba, as violence escalates following intense clashes in the northern part of the country.
A travel advisory issued on Sunday March 9 highlighted the ongoing fighting and the widespread availability of weapons among the population. This move comes amid growing concerns over instability in the country, particularly after a series of arrests involving key Government officials.
On Tuesday, an armed group clashed with the South Sudanese army, leading to the arrest of two government ministers and a deputy army chief who were aligned with former rebel leader-turned Vice President, Riek Machar. The army surrounded Machar’s residence as his supporters claimed that these arrests jeopardized the fragile peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and Machar. South Sudan, which was embroiled in a civil war from 2013 to 2018, continues to face challenges in fully implementing the peace deal signed in 2018.
The security situation further deteriorated on Friday when a United Nations helicopter, on a mission to evacuate personnel from the north, was attacked. The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan condemned the attack, describing it as a war crime. The commission also expressed concern that the violence in the north, coupled with the tensions in the capital, could threaten the progress made under the peace agreement. Chairperson Yasmin Sooka stressed the need for leadership to prioritize peace and human rights to prevent further conflict and ensure a smooth transition to democracy.