Amid escalating tensions, political instability in the country and the risk of renewed clashes and civil war between South Sudanese parties, the German Embassy in the capital Juba, has been temporarily closed.
Political Instability in South Sudan led to the Closer
In a statement Germany announced the closure of its diplomatic mission in South Sudan including the Embassy due to the rising political instability and security concerns across the country.
The country is “On the brink of civil war” warned Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister urguing the parties and leaders to de-escalate the tensions.
The decision was made by the crisis team within Germany’s Foreign Office, which prioritizes staff safety.
International Concerns Grow
As the world’s youngest nation, South Sudan, gained independence in 2011, and continues struggle with political instability and conflict between the country’s political elites, it experienced a devastating civil war that ended on 27th June 2018 with the Khartoum Declaration which ended the South Sudanese civil war. Currently the political disagreement between President Salva Kiir and the First Vice President Riek Machar continues to threaten the 2018 peace agreement .
The closure of Germany’s Embassy comes a few days after the U.S. travel advisory warned of increased risks in South Sudan, both decisions further highlighting international concerns over South Sudan’s fragile stability and civil war risk.