The U.S. ordered non-emergency personnel to leave South Sudan, citing increased crime and armed conflict. The travel advisory is set at Level 4, advising against travel to the country. Rising tensions threaten the 2018 peace agreement between Kiir and Machar, with recent clashes leading to key arrests. Americans in the region are urged to exercise extreme caution.
The United States has ordered the immediate evacuation of non-emergency personnel from South Sudan’s capital due to heightened crime, kidnapping, and armed conflict risks, as stated by the Department of State. The travel advisory for South Sudan remains at Level 4, indicating that Americans should not travel there. This advisory underscores the prevalence of violent crimes, including carjackings and shootings, with foreign nationals particularly at risk of sexual assaults and armed robberies.
The warning outlines ongoing fighting and notes that weapons are readily available among the population, further complicating the security situation. The U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency consular services is limited in South Sudan. This advisory arrives as tensions escalate over a fragile peace agreement established in 2018 between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.
Recent clashes in Upper Nile State led to the arrests of allies of First Vice President Riek Machar, heightening concerns over stability. Military forces reportedly surrounded Machar’s residence in Juba, though no reasons were given for this action. Machar’s supporters warn that these detentions might jeopardize the existing peace agreement that ended a civil conflict between his forces and those of President Kiir.
Additionally, an attack on a UN helicopter carrying out evacuation procedures in Nasir has intensified the region’s security challenges. The State Department continues to urge Americans remaining in South Sudan to exercise extreme caution, especially in Juba. Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth was not immediately available for comments regarding the situation.
In response to escalating violence and security concerns, the U.S. has mandated the withdrawal of non-emergency staff from South Sudan, emphasizing the dangers posed by ongoing crime and armed conflict. The precarious peace agreement of 2018 is under threat due to recent conflicts and arrests linked to high-ranking political figures, further destabilizing an already fragile region. The U.S. government strongly advises against travel to South Sudan due to the acute risks involved.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
