The US has ordered the departure of non-emergency staff from South Sudan due to escalating tensions between rival factions. Recent clashes have raised international concerns about the stability of the country, which is experiencing alarming regressions in peace and human rights.
The United States has mandated the withdrawal of all non-emergency staff from South Sudan, citing rising tensions that have elicited international concern. This decision was announced by the State Department on Sunday amid fears for the stability of the region following recent violent clashes between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.
Tensions escalated significantly after a UN helicopter was attacked during a rescue operation, resulting in the death of a crew member and an army general. President Kiir has called for calm, assuring citizens that a return to war is not on the horizon, despite the unsettling atmosphere as factions ramp up fighting.
The Department of State emphasized the ongoing armed conflicts, involving multiple political and ethnic factions, alongside the easy availability of weapons to the public. Shortly after the power-sharing agreement ratified in 2018 ended a five-year civil war, conflict flared up anew, particularly in Upper Nile State, where allegations of unrest continue to circulate regarding the activities of Machar’s allied forces.
The UN human rights commission for South Sudan has expressed grave concerns regarding a regression in human rights, warning that the region is facing a potential setback of years of peace progress. Additionally, experts from the International Crisis Group caution that the nation is teetering on the brink of full-scale war, urging immediate action to prevent potential ethnic massacres.
In summary, the United States has ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel from South Sudan amid escalating violence between rival factions. Despite President Kiir’s reassurances, concerns remain persistent regarding the fragility of the peace agreement and the potential for large-scale ethnic conflict if the situation is not effectively managed. The international community is closely monitoring developments, apprehensive about the implications for stability in the region.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com