The United States does not have plans to destabilize South Sudan, the Department of State has said.

It’s unclear why the Obama Administration issued the press statement.

“We are not planning, nor will plan, to target any government or military leaders; nor will we import special military equipment with the goal of destabilizing South Sudan,” said Mark C Toner, Deputy Department Spokesperson.

“Any suggestion that the United States has done so or will do so is false, baseless, and not in the interest of peace in South Sudan.”

After the fighting erupted in Juba last week, the US evacuated some of its citizens. It also deployed security personnel to secure its embassy.

“In order to keep the embassy open, on July 12 a small contingent of U.S. military personnel [was] deployed to Juba to assist the embassy in temporarily, bolstering its security and assisting with the departure of non-emergency personnel.”