The US has ordered the evacuation of non-emergency staff from South Sudan as violence escalates, jeopardizing a fragile power-sharing agreement between President Kiir and Vice President Machar. The withdrawal is prompted by recent clashes and concerns over deteriorating peace conditions. Observers warn of a potential return to war and ethnic conflict.
The United States has mandated the departure of all non-emergency staff from South Sudan due to escalating tensions, according to a statement from the State Department released on Sunday. This decision follows increasing clashes that threaten a fragile power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, particularly in the Upper Nile State.
Recent violence includes an attack on a UN helicopter on a rescue mission, which led to the death of a crew member and an army general. While President Kiir urged citizens to remain calm and assured that war would not resume, international observers have expressed deep concern regarding the situation’s deterioration.
The State Department highlighted ongoing armed conflict involving various political and ethnic factions and the widespread availability of weapons among the population. This fragile state follows South Sudan’s five-year civil war, which concluded with a power-sharing agreement in 2018 between Kiir and Machar.
Kiir’s allies have claimed that Machar’s forces are inciting unrest in Nasir County, collaborating with the “White Army,” a militia composed of armed youth from Machar’s Nuer ethnic group. Observers have cautioned that South Sudan is experiencing an alarming regression that could reverse efforts made towards peace.
The International Crisis Group has warned of a rapidly escalating situation, indicating that South Sudan is on the verge of full-scale war and risks large-scale ethnic massacres unless the crisis is curtailed quickly.
In conclusion, the US has withdrawn non-emergency personnel from South Sudan amid rising tensions that threaten the existing power-sharing agreement between Kiir and Machar. The warning from international observers underscores the precarious situation, which could devolve into another civil conflict if not addressed. Authorities and organizations continue to monitor the developments closely, urging for stability and peace in the region.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
