Govt evacuates staff from South Sudan

Brenda Ziga Harare Bureau
The Government has temporarily evacuated Zimbabwean staff from its embassy in South Sudan capital, Juba due to threats of a civil war in that country.

This was revealed yesterday in a Press statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Policy Research and Training deputy director Ms Sophia Nyamudeza.

“In view of the security deterioration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has temporarily evacuated personnel from our Embassy in Juba. The embassy staff is already in the country,” she said.

Ms Nyamudeza said the Republic of South Sudan is experiencing renewed fighting between opposing armed forces.

“The Republic of South Sudan experienced renewed fighting between opposing armed forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, from 7 July to 11 July 2016.

“The fighting relapse in South Sudan has raised fears of a return to civil war in the country,” she said.

Even though ceasefire was announced, she said the situation remained uncertain.

“While a ceasefire was announced by President Kiir and Vice President Machar on 11 July 2016, the situation remains uncertain, tense and uneasy.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is aware that some Zimbabwean nationals had been deployed to South Sudan for peacekeeping operations under the UN and AU Missions.

“If the security situation continues to worsen it is expected that their relevant agencies will take care of them,” she said.

At least 272 people have died in the latest clashes between forces loyal to South Sudan’s President Salvar Kiir and his rival Vice President Riek Machar.