The Norwegian government has announced the immediate closure of its embassy in South Sudan, citing escalating violence and increasing threats to diplomatic missions. In a statement issued from Oslo, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned its citizens in South Sudan to leave the country as soon as possible, advising against any non-essential travel to the region.
The decision follows reports of intensified clashes between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and the so-called “White Army,” a heavily armed militia accused of supporting First Vice President Riek Machar. Fighting has spread across multiple states, raising fears of a full-scale conflict that could plunge the nation into deeper chaos.
"We are deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation in South Sudan," said Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. "Given the risks to our diplomatic personnel and citizens, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close our embassy in Juba and urge all Norwegian nationals to leave immediately."
This development is a major setback for South Sudan, which has been struggling to maintain peace since gaining independence in 2011. The country has remained politically unstable despite multiple ceasefire agreements, and the latest wave of violence suggests that tensions between rival factions remain unresolved.
Humanitarian agencies have also raised concerns about the impact of the ongoing violence, with thousands of civilians being displaced in recent weeks. The United Nations has warned that South Sudan is at risk of experiencing another major refugee crisis if the conflict continues unchecked.
The Norwegian government has confirmed that diplomatic staff will be relocated to neighboring countries while closely monitoring the situation for any potential return.