Aerial view of Juba city. (Photo: Charles Wote).

The United States has ordered the departure of non-emergency government personnel from South Sudan and advised citizens not to travel there over what it calls a “continued security threats” in the country.

U.S. and other foreign governments have – on several occasions – urged citizens not to visit South Sudan over its fragile security situation. But Juba often pushes back against such alarms, citing improved security situation as result of the 2018 peace deal.

The latest advisory however follows violent clashes in Nasir on March 4 between SSPDF and heavily armed local youths, who overran a military base and later assassinated a top army commander and a United Nations staff during evacuation efforts.

In a statement published on the U.S. Embassy in South Sudan website, the U.S. Department of State maintained the travel advisory to South Sudan at Level 4, meaning Americans should avoid travel to South Sudan due to security threats.

“Armed conflict is ongoing and includes fighting between various political and ethnic groups. Weapons are readily available to the population. In addition, cattle raids occur throughout the country and often lead to violence,” the statement said.

It said violent crimes are rampant through the country including in Juba, and foreign nationals have been the victims of rape, sexual assault, armed robberies.

The advisory said reporting in South Sudan without the proper documentation from the South Sudanese Media Authority is considered illegal, and any journalistic work there is very dangerous, citing existing reports of harassment against journalists in the country.

It said the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in South Sudan, adding that its citizens working in South Sudan are under a strict curfew.

“They must use armored vehicles for nearly all movements, and official travel outside Juba is limited. Due to the critical crime threat in Juba, walking is also restricted.”

It added that those who have decided to travel to South Sudan must exercise extreme care in all parts of the country, including Juba.

Observers including the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (CHRSS) believe the Nasir incident threatens to derail gains made in the 2018 peace agreement, although President Kiir has vowed to never allow the country to slide back to civil war.