Germany Temporarily Shuts Embassy in South Sudan Over Security Concerns

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Juba, South Sudan| Germany has announced the temporary closure of its embassy in South Sudan, citing escalating violence and security concerns.

The decision comes amid fears of renewed conflict in the world’s youngest nation, which has struggled to maintain stability since gaining independence in 2011.

In a statement on Monday, the German Foreign Office said the closure was necessitated by “a deteriorating security situation” in the capital, Juba.

The move reflects growing international alarm over the fragile peace process and rising hostilities between rival political and ethnic factions.

Germany Warns of Renewed Civil War

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock issued a stark warning about the potential collapse of South Sudan’s already tenuous peace agreement.

“After years of fragile peace, South Sudan is once again on the brink of civil war,” she said.

Baerbock criticized the country’s leadership, accusing President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar of driving the country into chaos.

“The people of South Sudan have suffered for too long,” she stated. “It is the responsibility of both leaders to stop the senseless violence and finally implement the peace agreement they signed.”

She also stressed that ensuring the safety of German diplomatic staff remained a top priority.

Rising Tensions and Ethnic Clashes

South Sudan has experienced increasing instability in recent months, with deadly clashes erupting between government forces and militias aligned with the Nuer ethnic group, to which Machar belongs.

The South Sudanese army has accused Machar’s party of instigating violence, while Machar’s allies claim Kiir is attempting to weaken opposition forces.

Fighting has been particularly intense near South Sudan’s border with Ethiopia, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

Reports suggest that armed groups in neighboring Sudan are considering intervention, further complicating an already volatile situation.

International Concerns Grow

Germany’s decision to close its embassy underscores mounting international concern over South Sudan’s security crisis.

The move follows similar warnings from humanitarian organizations and diplomatic missions about the dangers of escalating violence.

The South Sudanese government has yet to formally respond to Germany’s embassy closure, but analysts warn that continued unrest could lead to deeper diplomatic isolation and increased hardship for the country’s population, which has already endured years of war, displacement, and economic turmoil.

As tensions rise, international observers are urging South Sudanese leaders to commit to dialogue and fully implement the 2018 peace agreement, which was brokered to end years of conflict.

However, with violence surging and trust between rival factions eroding, the prospects for lasting peace remain uncertain.

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