The German government has temporarily shut down its embassy operations in Juba as tensions between South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar escalate, pushing the country toward renewed conflict. The closure comes amid growing fears of widespread violence and instability.
“After years of fragile peace, South Sudan is once again on the brink of civil war,” German’s foreign ministry said in a statement. “President Kiir and Vice President Machar are plunging the country into a spiral of violence. It is their responsibility to end this senseless conflict and fully implement the peace agreement.”
South Sudan has been under a travel warning for years due to security concerns, but the recent surge in hostilities has heightened the risks for foreign diplomats and aid workers. The German government emphasized that the decision to close its embassy was taken to ensure the safety of its staff, adding that the situation would be reassessed as developments unfold.
Fragile Peace Under Threat
The latest tensions stem from disagreements over the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, which brought an uneasy truce to a nation scarred by years of civil war. Kiir and Machar, who have a long history of political and military rivalry, formed a unity government in 2020, but mistrust and unresolved political disputes continue to threaten its stability.
Recent reports indicate that clashes between government forces and opposition-aligned groups have intensified, displacing thousands of civilians and raising fears of a return to full-scale war. The United Nations and regional bodies have repeatedly urged South Sudan’s leadership to uphold their commitments to peace and avert further bloodshed.
International Response
Germany’s embassy closure follows growing concerns among the international community about the deteriorating security situation. Other foreign missions are also monitoring the crisis closely, with some considering similar precautionary measures.
The European Union and the United Nations have called for urgent diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation, warning that another civil war would deepen the humanitarian crisis in a country where millions already face food insecurity and displacement.
South Sudan’s leadership has yet to issue an official response to Germany’s decision, but the move underscores the mounting pressure on Kiir and Machar to resolve their differences before the country plunges into another devastating conflict.
