The U.S. ordered the departure of nonemergency staff from South Sudan due to rising tensions from violence in the north. Clashes and arrests of key officials threaten the 2018 peace agreement between President Kiir and Vice President Machar. Security incidents, including an attack on a U.N. helicopter, add to concerns about stabilizing the region and protecting human rights.
The U.S. State Department has ordered the evacuation of nonemergency personnel from South Sudan’s capital, Juba, amid rising tensions from ongoing violence in the northern region. The advisory emphasizes that fighting continues and arms are widely accessible among the population.
Recent clashes occurred between an armed group and South Sudan’s army, resulting in the arrests of high-ranking officials, including two ministers and a deputy army chief connected to Vice President Riek Machar. These incidents have raised concerns among Machar’s supporters regarding the stability of the peace agreement established in 2018.
South Sudan experienced a devastating civil war from 2013 to 2018, claiming over 400,000 lives. The current tensions risk undermining the peace deal crafted between President Salva Kiir and Machar, which is still being implemented. An additional threat arose on Friday when a U.N. helicopter conducting evacuation operations was attacked, a situation deemed a potential war crime by a U.N rights body.
The U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned that increased violence in the north and tensions in Juba could jeopardize the fragile peace process. Chairperson Yasmin Sooka emphasized the need for leaders to recommit to peace and the safeguarding of human rights for South Sudanese citizens, stressing the urgency for a consistent transition towards democracy.
The U.S. evacuation order highlights the escalating violence in South Sudan, particularly following the recent clashes impacting government officials related to Vice President Riek Machar. With historical context from the civil war and ongoing peace efforts at stake, the potential for further destabilization is evident. The U.N. rights body’s alarm reinforces the need for a renewed commitment to peace and human rights in the region.
Original Source: www.local10.com
