The U.S. Embassy in South Sudan has announced a further reduction in its staff, citing continued security threats in the country. In a statement issued today, the embassy urged U.S. citizens currently in South Sudan to consider leaving while commercial flights are still available.
“As advised, South Sudan remains a Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ country, and we urge U.S. citizens to depart via commercial means while they are available,” the statement read.
The embassy also advised those who choose to stay to prepare contingency plans for emergency situations and be ready to shelter in place if conditions deteriorate further.
Last week, German announced that it was shutting down it’ mission in Juba over same security concerns.
READ ALSO: Germany Shuts Down Embassy In Juba As UN Warns South Sudan ‘on the brink’
The decision to scale down diplomatic operations comes at a time of heightened political tensions in South Sudan, following reports that First Vice President Riek Machar and his wife, Angelina Teny, have been placed under house arrest. The United Nations has warned that the country risks slipping back into widespread conflict if urgent steps are not taken to uphold the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.
The U.S. has been a key international partner in South Sudan’s peace process, but the latest security concerns indicate growing instability in the country. The embassy has not specified how many staff members will remain but emphasized that essential operations will continue.
The United States has since called on South Sudan President Salva Kiir to release his rival First Vice President Riek Machar who was reportedly under house arrest, saying it was time the country’s leaders demonstrated their commitment to peace. “We are concerned by reports South Sudan’s First Vice President Machar is under house arrest,” Washington’s Bureau of African Affairs wrote on X.
“We urge President Kiir to reverse this action & prevent further escalation of the situation.”
