Washington: The U.S. State Department has directed non-emergency government personnel to leave South Sudan due to escalating security concerns.
According to the State Department's statement on Sunday, the country is experiencing ongoing armed conflict, with violence involving various political and ethnic factions. The widespread availability of weapons further exacerbates the situation.
On Saturday, the United Nations human rights agency warned that increasing political tensions and violence in South Sudan could jeopardize the fragile peace process.
The situation took a more serious turn earlier this month when security forces loyal to President Salva Kiir arrested two government ministers and several high-ranking military officials aligned with opposition leader Riek Machar. These arrests have raised alarms about the stability of the 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war, which claimed nearly 400,000 lives.
The State Department also highlighted the prevalence of violent crimes across the country, including in the capital, Juba. Incidents such as carjackings, shootings, ambushes, robberies, assaults, and kidnappings are reportedly common.
Additionally, the security environment remains highly dangerous for journalists and U.S. government personnel, who are subject to strict curfews and required to travel in armored vehicles for safety.
