In a historic first, the embassies of Norway and Germany have shut down in South Sudan. At the same time, the British and US embassies have reduced their staff to skeleton crews. This decision comes at a time of increasing hostility and violence between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar in South Sudan. With the situation continuing to worsen, including increased violence and civil unrest, the embassies have called on their citizens to leave the country. The war, now nearly two years old, has since taken the lives of more than 40,000 civilians. It now risks pulling apart the 2018 peace agreement that brought Kiir and Machar together in a government of national unity.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has confirmed that violent confrontations have occurred. Already, forces loyal to President Kiir are fighting with those backing Vice President Machar just outside the capital, Juba. These clashes, along with the recent political upheaval, have left many residents and onlookers shocked and dismayed. An international arrest warrant has been issued in Machar’s name on undisclosed charges. According to the U.N and media reports, a convoy of 20 heavily armed vehicles crashed into his home and disarmed his security detail.
Embassies Respond to Escalating Violence
The Norwegian and German embassies have shuttered, and the British and U.S. embassies have pulled most of their personnel from the country. This move reflects the dire state of enforcement. The withdrawal is indicative of the embassies’ judgment of dangers to their staff and nationals in South Sudan. In calling on their nationals to depart, these countries are underscoring the seriousness of the situation and the need for immediate release from a rapidly worsening environment.
The war in South Sudan has complex historical roots. In an attempt to consolidate his power, forces loyal to President Kiir are reportedly clashing brutally with forces loyal to Vice President Machar. These attempts to keep the peace since the 2018 ceasefire deal have come to a head. Political polarization and tensions are bursting at the seams endangering to take the country deeper into chaos.
Political Tensions Threaten Peace Agreement
The backdrop for this latest military escalation was a December 2022 arrest warrant against Machar on ambiguous and unspecified charges, which ignited immediate condemnation from his supporters. Reath Muoch Tang commented on the situation, stating:
"An arrest warrant was delivered to him under unclear charges."
The warrant's delivery, coupled with the armed convoy's actions at Machar's residence, has raised concerns about violations of legal procedures and potential breaches of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
"This act is a blatant violation of the Constitution and the Revitalized Peace Agreement, as no legal procedures such as lifting his immunity have been followed," said Reath Muoch Tang.
Perpetrating due process in arresting Vice President Machar would help mitigate dire consequences to the stability and maturity of governance in South Sudan.
"The arrest of the First Vice President without due process undermines the rule of law and threatens the stability of the nation," Reath Muoch Tang added.
Calls for Restraint Amid Rising Tensions
As violence escalates, UNMISS has urged all sides integrated to refrain from violence so that peace can be maintained instead of seeking revenge. Nicholas Haysom, UN Special Representative, highlighted the critical juncture at which South Sudan finds itself:
"Tonight, the country’s leaders stand on the brink of relapsing into widespread conflict or taking the country forward towards peace, recovery and democracy in the spirit of the consensus that was reached in 2018 when they signed and committed to implementing a Revitalized Peace Agreement."
Haysom also warned of broader regional impacts:
"will not only devastate South Sudan but also affect the entire region."
The international community continues to monitor developments closely, urging South Sudanese leaders to uphold their commitments to peace and dialogue.
