The U.S. has ordered non-emergency personnel to leave South Sudan amid rising violence. The State Department has issued a Level 4 travel advisory, warning against travel due to prevalent violent crime. The advisory reflects concerns over the fragile peace between political leaders Kiir and Machar, as violence escalates in the region.
The United States has mandated the immediate departure of non-emergency personnel from South Sudan’s capital due to rising incidents of crime, kidnappings, and armed conflict. This action was announced by the Department of State, which maintains a Level 4 travel advisory for the country, advising against travel for Americans.
The advisory outlines that violent crimes are prevalent throughout South Sudan, including serious offenses such as carjackings, shootings, and armed robberies. Foreign nationals have notably faced rape, sexual assault, and various violent crimes, it indicates. Additionally, the U.S. government can provide limited emergency consular services for U.S. citizens in South Sudan.
The escalating violence jeopardizes peace efforts between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, who established a peace agreement in 2018 after a devastating civil war. Tensions between the two leaders remain a significant barrier to stability, with mutual distrust prevailing as Machar criticizes Kiir’s authoritative governance.
The travel advisory system categorizes South Sudan at the highest level due to life-threatening risks. Level 4 advisories recommend that Americans prepare wills and leave DNA samples for identification if necessary. For those who might travel to South Sudan, extreme caution is advised, particularly in the capital, Juba. Multiple countries, including Ukraine, Russia, Syria, Iraq, Venezuela, and Haiti, also share this Level 4 designation.
The U.S. State Department’s directive for non-emergency personnel to evacuate South Sudan underscores the critical security risks present in the region. Heightened crime and escalating political tensions threaten the stability of the country. The existing travel advisory denotes a significant danger for Americans, marking South Sudan as one of the multiple nations facing extreme risks due to violence and political strife.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
