Germany closes embassy in South Sudan over security concerns
Ms. Baerbock said they closed the embassy in South Sudan’s capital Juba for the time being after the crisis team of the German Foreign Office decided the move.
By James Chatim
The German government said it has temporarily closed its embassy in South Sudan due to fear of thebrink of civil war in the country.
German’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Saturday said South Sudan, which witnessed years of fragile peace, is again on the brink of returning to civil war.
Ms. Baerbock said they closed the embassy in South Sudan’s capital Juba for the time being after the crisis team of the German Foreign Office decided the move.
The diplomat blamed the parties to the agreement for plunging the country into a spiral of violence.
She urged President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar to take the responsibility to stop the violence and implement the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
“After years of fragile peace, South Sudan is once again on the brink of civil war. The crisis team of the German Foreign Office has therefore decided to close the embassy in the capital Juba for the time being. The safety of the employees is the top priority,” Baerbock wrote on x.
On Thursday, the High Commission of Malaysia in Nairobi, Kenya, advised all Malaysians living in South Sudan to remain vigilant and give utmost attention to their safety and security.
According to a statement by the Foreign Ministry, the High Commission remains in close communication with UNPOL to ensure the continued safety and well-being of the PDRM personnel.
However, the ministry confirmed that all 55 Malaysian civilians and 18 Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) officers serving under the United Nations Police (UNPOL) mission in South Sudan are safe.
“Considering the worsening situation in South Sudan and as a precautionary measure, the Ministry advises all Malaysians living in South Sudan to remain vigilant and give utmost attention to their safety and security.”
“They may also consider relocating to safer places or voluntarily returning to Malaysia, should they feel their safety and security are at risk,” said the ministry, widely known as Wisma Putra.
Wisma Putra also strongly advised Malaysians to defer travel to the country until further notice.
This comes weeks after the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory on South Sudan, urging its non-emergency staff to leave the country.
In response, South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation dismissed the statement that the country is unsafe for foreign nationals, saying that South Sudan is safe and secure.
Addressing a press conference in Juba, Ambassador Apuk Ayuel Mayen, the spokesperson for South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they have noted with concerns the recent travel advisories by some countries, saying the situation in the country remains calm and secure.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the Republic of South Sudan would like to reassure the international community on recent advisories issued by some countries,” she said.
“The situation in South Sudan is still calm and safe.”
Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Thursday, the Malaysian government urged its citizens in South Sudan to register with the High Commission of Malaysia in Nairobi to receive timely updates and assistance.
It further advised them to adhere strictly to instructions from local authorities.
