The US has ordered non-emergency staff to leave South Sudan due to rising tensions threatening the fragile peace deal between President Kiir and Vice-President Machar. Ongoing violence and political arrests highlight serious concerns about peace and stability in the region, leading to warnings from UN representatives about regression in human rights and security.
The United States has mandated that all non-emergency staff in South Sudan evacuate due to escalating tensions in the nation. This decision follows recent clashes that threaten the already fragile peace accord between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar. Despite a signed peace agreement in 2018 to conclude a devastating civil war, tensions between the two leaders remain high.
According to the US State Department, ongoing violence among various political and ethnic groups poses significant risks, as “weapons are readily available to the population.” On March 8, 2025, the State Department ordered non-emergency US government employees to leave the country in light of these dangers.
The UN Human Rights Commission for South Sudan has expressed concern about an “alarming regression” in the country, which threatens longstanding efforts towards establishing peace. In response to this instability, President Kiir has called for peace and promised that South Sudan would not revert to war.
Tensions further intensified when a UN helicopter evacuating national army members was shot at, resulting in multiple fatalities including one crew member. Additionally, recent arrests of the deputy chief of the army and two ministers related to Machar have been labeled by an opposition spokesman as a “grave violation” of the peace agreement.
These arrests followed clashes in Upper Nile state between government troops and the White Army militia, which had previously allied with Machar during the civil conflict. South Sudan, which became independent in 2011 after breaking from Sudan, faced civil war just two years later due to escalating rifts between Kiir and Machar, leaving over 400,000 dead.
Though the 2018 power-sharing agreement ended large-scale fighting, many aspects of the deal, including a new constitution, elections, and military reunification, remain unaddressed. Local and ethnic violence still sporadically disrupts certain regions of the country.
The United States has ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel from South Sudan in response to increasing violence and instability threatening the 2018 peace agreement between President Kiir and Vice-President Machar. Despite assurances of peace from Kiir, recent violent incidents and political arrests underscore the fragile state of governance in the country. Continuing unrest highlights the need for thorough implementation of peace initiatives to avoid a return to widespread conflict.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
