Norwegian embassy in South Sudan temporarily closed over security concerns

OSLO, Norway

Norway’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it was temporarily shutting its embassy in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, due to the deteriorating security situation in the country.

South Sudan President, Salva Kiir, last week fired the governor of Upper Nile state, where clashes have escalated between government troops and an armed youth group that he accuses of allying with his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar.

Late on Wednesday, Kiir placed Machar under house arrest. An armed convoy led by top security officials, including the defense minister, entered Machar’s residence in the capital, Juba, and disarmed his bodyguards.

The standoff has heightened concerns that the world’s newest country could slide back into conflict about seven years after emerging from a civil war that killed hundreds of thousands of people.

“The security situation in South Sudan has worsened significantly in recent times. This primarily affects the civilian population but also has consequences for the safety and freedom of movement of our staff. We have therefore decided to close the embassy in Juba until further notice. At the same time, we will continue our extensive engagement in South Sudan,” said Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

The Norwegian embassy’s work will be carried out from Nairobi, Kenya, until further notice, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj, adding that the Juba mission would be reopened when the situation allows.

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday raised its travel advisory for South Sudan to the highest level. The ministry now advises against all travel to South Sudan and urges Norwegian citizens in the country to leave.

Norway and Norwegian civil society have been directly involved in South Sudan for more than 50 years. Norwegian aid to South Sudan amounted to 825.6 million kroner in 2023.