Germany has temporarily shut down its embassy in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, due to escalating tensions that have pushed the country toward the brink of civil war. This development was announced by the German foreign ministry on Saturday, citing concerns for the safety of its citizens and staff.

The unrest follows South Sudanese President Salva Kiir's recent dismissal of the governor of Upper Nile state, where fighting has intensified between government forces and an ethnic militia accused of siding with his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar. According to Reuters, the situation has raised fears that South Sudan, the world's youngest nation, could relapse into conflict just seven years after emerging from a brutal civil war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

During the country's five-year civil war, which ended in 2018, more than 400,000 people were killed. The German foreign ministry has expressed concern that the current situation could lead to a relapse into violence, stating that "President Kiir and Vice President Machar are plunging the country into a spiral of violence. It's their responsibility to end this senseless violence & finally implement the peace agreement."

The United Nations peacekeeping chief, Nicholas Haysom, has also expressed concern that the country is "on the brink of relapse into civil war." The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has warned, "We are witnessing an alarming regression that could erase years of hard-won progress."

The humanitarian situation in South Sudan is already dire, with half the country facing food insecurity, according to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan's 2024 report. The report noted that two million people are internally displaced, and another two million have fled to neighboring countries. The situation has raised concerns about the potential for a humanitarian crisis if the situation escalates further.

The temporary closure of the German embassy is a significant development, as it highlights the growing concerns about the stability of South Sudan. The move is likely to put pressure on the country's leaders to resolve their differences and implement the peace agreement. The international community will be watching the situation closely, as a relapse into civil war could have far-reaching consequences for the region.

In conclusion, the temporary closure of the German embassy in South Sudan is a stark reminder of the fragility of the country's peace and the need for its leaders to take immediate action to resolve their differences and implement the peace agreement. The international community must continue to put pressure on the country's leaders to avoid a relapse into civil war and ensure a stable future for the people of South Sudan.