US Embassy evacuates more staff from South Sudan

The U.S. Department of State announced plans on Friday to evacuate more staff from the U.S. Embassy in Juba due to the deteriorating security situation in South Sudan as government forces continue to battle rebel militia.

State Department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf announced the drawdown decision had been made "out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety and security of our diplomatic personnel" and encouraged U.S. citizens to "depart immediately."

Ambassador Susan D. Page took to the embassy's Twitter account to reassure the public that the drawing down of staff did not constitute a complete evacuation.

The embassy also used its Twitter page to direct information about departure flights for U.S. citizens in South Sudan. The State Department scheduled a Friday morning evacuation flight from Juba "to the nearest safe haven country." As of January 4, the embassy will no longer provide consular services to U.S. citizens.

The additional diplomatic drawdown comes two days after South Sudanese President Salva Kiir declared a state of emergency.

Violence in South Sudan broke out in mid-December when Kiir accused his fired former Vice President Riek Machar of attempting a coup. Forces loyal to the two men engaged in violent conflict over the past three weeks, resulting in the deaths of thousands and the displacement of 180,000. Despite the continued violence, representatives from both warring parties are in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for peace talks.

[State Department] [U.S. Embassy Juba] [UPI]