The U.S. has mandated non-emergency personnel to leave South Sudan due to rising violence and crime. The Level 4 travel advisory warns against travel and highlights ongoing hostilities that threaten the 2018 peace agreement. Americans are advised to exercise extreme caution, especially in the capital, Juba.
The United States has instructed non-emergency personnel to evacuate from South Sudan’s capital due to escalating violence, including crime, kidnappings, and armed conflict, as announced by the Department of State on Sunday. This is part of an ongoing caution signified by the Level 4 travel advisory, indicating that U.S. citizens should refrain from traveling to the country.
The travel alert emphasizes the prevalence of violent crime, including carjackings and shootings, and notes that foreign nationals are particularly vulnerable to attacks such as sexual assaults and armed robberies. The advisory also underscores the ongoing hostilities and the ready availability of weapons among the population, alongside the limited capacity of the U.S. government to offer emergency consular services in the region.
These warnings are issued amidst heightened tensions that threaten the fragile peace agreement from 2018 between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Recent clashes in Upper Nile State involved an armed group and government forces, resulting in the arrests of close allies of Mr. Machar, including the petroleum minister.
Military forces have surrounded Mr. Machar’s residence in Juba without any official explanation, heightening fears among his supporters that these actions could jeopardize the hard-won peace deal that concluded the civil war between their factions. Additionally, a recent attack on a United Nations helicopter during an evacuation mission has further escalated the already dire security situation.
In light of these developments, the State Department has urged any American citizens currently in South Sudan to exercise extreme caution, particularly in Juba. Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth was unavailable for immediate comment regarding the situation.
In summary, the U.S. has ordered non-emergency personnel to evacuate South Sudan amidst rising violence and crime, underscoring the serious security risks present. The country remains under a Level 4 travel advisory, urging against travel to the region, especially given recent incidents that threaten the fragile peace agreement between governing factions. Americans currently in the area are advised to maintain extreme caution.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
