(MENAFN) Germany has temporarily shut down its embassy in Juba, citing escalating tensions between South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his first deputy, Riek Machar. The German Foreign Office announced the closure on Saturday, just two weeks after the U.S. ordered non-essential diplomatic staff to leave the country due to security concerns.

“After years of fragile peace, South Sudan is once again on the brink of civil war. President Kiir and Vice President Machar are plunging the country into a spiral of violence,” the ministry stated on X, emphasizing that the safety of embassy staff was a top priority.

South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has struggled with political instability despite a 2018 peace agreement that allowed Kiir and Machar to share power. However, tensions have resurfaced following Kiir’s recent dismissals of officials linked to Machar.

Last week, Kiir removed the governor of Upper Nile state, a region where violent clashes have erupted between government forces and the White Army militia, largely composed of Nuer fighters loyal to Machar. Several ministers and military leaders aligned with Machar have also been detained. Meanwhile, Machar has denied allegations of fueling the conflict and has accused Kiir of undermining his supporters.

On Tuesday, UN peacekeeping chief Nicholas Haysom warned that South Sudan is “on the brink of relapse into civil war” and called for urgent international intervention to preserve the progress made since the 2018 peace deal.

Germany’s Foreign Ministry has urged both leaders to end the violence and fully implement the peace agreement. In a joint statement, Berlin, along with the US, UK, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, and the EU, has offered to mediate direct talks to restore stability in the region.

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