The United States has ordered the departure of non-emergency government employees and their family members from South Sudan, citing an increasingly unstable security situation marked by widespread violence, political tensions, and deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
The directive was announced on Saturday in an updated travel advisory issued by the U.S. Department of State, which warned that the security risks in the country had escalated significantly in recent months. The advisory urged U.S. citizens not to travel to South Sudan due to ongoing armed conflict, crime, and the high risk of violent incidents.
“Violent crimes such as carjackings, shootings, ambushes, assaults, robberies, and kidnappings are common throughout South Sudan, including in the capital, Juba,” the advisory said. It also noted that weapons remain widely accessible among the civilian population, contributing to the persistent threat of violence, including during intercommunal conflicts and cattle raids, which frequently result in casualties.
The State Department highlighted that journalists and media professionals are particularly at risk. “Working in South Sudan remains extremely dangerous,” it added, referencing cases of harassment, arbitrary detention, and fatal attacks targeting journalists and civil society actors.
The deteriorating security situation comes amid ongoing political uncertainty and a fragile peace process. Although a Revitalized Peace Agreement was signed in 2018 to bring an end to years of civil war, implementation has been slow and sporadic, with tensions flaring among rival factions within the transitional government.
On Friday, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan raised alarm over renewed violence in parts of the country, particularly in Upper Nile State, and warned that the gains of the peace agreement were at risk of unraveling.
In a strongly worded statement, Yasmin Sooka, chair of the UN Commission, called on South Sudanese leaders to act urgently to prevent another nationwide crisis.
“South Sudan should be moving forward, implementing the provisions of the peace agreement, strengthening institutions, and building a foundation for democracy,” Sooka said. “What we are witnessing now is a return to the reckless power struggles that have devastated the country in the past.”
Sooka urged the country’s leadership to refocus on the peace process and prioritize human rights. “Rather than fueling division and conflict, leaders must urgently refocus on the peace process, uphold the human rights of South Sudanese citizens, and ensure a smooth transition to democracy,” she said.
The Commission also warned that political intrigue and growing mistrust among elites in Juba could jeopardize the transition period, which is due to culminate in elections. Delays in key benchmarks such as security sector reform, constitutional development, and transitional justice mechanisms have further strained the process.
The United States, a key international partner and donor to South Sudan, has repeatedly expressed concern over the slow pace of reform and rising instability. Saturday’s advisory is the latest indication that Washington is taking a more cautious stance toward its engagement in the country, prioritizing the safety of its personnel and re-evaluating the risks on the ground.
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has faced near-continuous conflict since 2013, when a power struggle between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar triggered a civil war that killed an estimated 400,000 people and displaced millions. While the 2018 peace deal halted full-scale fighting, sporadic violence, ethnic clashes, and political infighting continue to threaten the country’s stability.
