Norway has announced the temporary closure of its embassy in South Sudan, citing security concerns as clashes continue between rival forces in the country. The Norwegian government urged its citizens to leave South Sudan, where violence has intensified between federal forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and the “White Army,” a militia group accused of collaborating with First Vice President Riek Machar.
The ongoing fighting, which has been escalating for several weeks, threatens to undermine the fragile 2018 power-sharing agreement between Kiir and Machar, raising fears of a return to full-scale civil war. In response to the deteriorating situation, the Norwegian Foreign Ministry advised its nationals not to travel to South Sudan and urged those already in the country to depart immediately.
While the embassy in South Sudan is closed, the Norwegian diplomatic affairs for the country will be managed by Norway’s embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, until further notice.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, gained independence in 2011 but has faced ongoing conflict since its formation. The current violence further destabilizes an already fragile peace process, and international concerns continue to grow.
