Germany Closes Its Embassy in Juba South Sudan as Conflicts Intensifies

Germany announced the temporary closure of its embassy in Juba, South Sudan, due to escalating violence that has pushed the country to the brink of civil war. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that the decision was made by the Foreign Office’s crisis team, prioritizing the safety of embassy staff amid a deteriorating security situation. The move reflects growing international concern over the intensifying conflict between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and a militia linked to Vice President Riek Machar, particularly near the Ethiopian border in Upper Nile state.

This violence, involving government bombings of civilian areas and attacks on UN helicopters, threatens to unravel the fragile 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war, which killed over 400,000 people. Germany’s closure underscores the severity of the crisis, with the UN reporting at least 50,000 displaced and fears of a broader regional destabilization as South Sudan teeters on the edge of renewed large-scale conflict. The United Nations has been actively involved in peace efforts in South Sudan, particularly in response to the escalating violence that prompted Germany to close its embassy in Juba on March 22, 2025.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), established in 2011, remains the cornerstone of UN peace efforts in the country. Its mandate, renewed on April 29, 2024, via Security Council Resolution 2729, extends through April 30, 2025, and focuses on four. UNMISS maintains over 17,000 peacekeepers to shield civilians from violence, especially as clashes between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar’s militia intensify. The mission operates protection sites hosting displaced populations, though these are strained by the recent surge in fighting.

UNMISS facilitates safe conditions for aid delivery, critical as the UN reports 50,000 newly displaced people due to the latest violence near Upper Nile state. However, attacks on UN helicopters and restrictions on peacekeeper movements have hampered these efforts. The mission backs the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, which aimed to end the civil war but is faltering. UNMISS assists with electoral preparations for the postponed December 2026 elections, providing technical advice and voter education, though progress is slow due to political mistrust and funding shortages.

UNMISS documents violations, such as the recent government bombings of civilian areas, to hold parties accountable and push for compliance with international law. Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, warned on March 18, 2025, during an African Union Peace and Security Council meeting that South Sudan is “poised on the brink of relapse into civil war.” He emphasized the need for urgent collective action to prevent further escalation. The UN Security Council has urged South Sudan’s leaders to adhere to the peace agreement’s benchmarks, including unifying armed forces and drafting a permanent constitution. On February 5, 2025, Haysom told the Council that the extended transitional period (to February 2027) must not be “business as usual,” pressing for accelerated reforms.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) leads the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, targeting 5.4 million people with $1.7 billion in aid. This is vital as over 900,000 Sudanese refugees have fled into South Sudan since 2023, compounding the crisis. UNMISS works with the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), supporting initiatives like Kenya’s Tumaini mediation process, despite its setbacks after the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition withdrew in July 2024. The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, in a March 8, 2025, report, condemned leaders for fueling violence and obstructing peace, calling for dialogue over armed confrontation to avert chaos.

The UN faces significant hurdles: ongoing hostilities limit access, funding for the $1.7 billion plan is uncertain, and political will among South Sudanese leaders remains weak. The attack on a UN aircraft in Upper Nile, labeled a war crime by the Commission, exemplifies the risks to peacekeepers. Despite these, the UN continues to position itself as a neutral broker, advocating for a ceasefire and inclusive talks to stabilize the region. UN peace efforts in South Sudan as of March 23, 2025, center on UNMISS’s multifaceted mandate, diplomatic pressure, and humanitarian support, all aimed at preventing a full-scale civil war amid the worsening conflict that led to Germany’s embassy closure.