Britain pulls out embassy staff from South Sudan

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/18/britain-pulls-out-embassy-staff-south-sudan

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Britain's Foreign Office is withdrawing some embassy staff from South Sudan because of violence in the oil-rich east African country.

The UN estimates fighting in South Sudan has killed up to 500 people with the president of the world's newest country blaming a coup attempt by soldiers loyal to his former deputy, who belongs to a different ethnic group.

The Foreign Office said on Wednesday that its embassy in the capital, Juba, remained open, but that it had decided to temporarily withdraw some embassy staff and their dependents. It continues to advise against all travel to Juba.

British nationals seeking to leave are being urged to contact the Foreign Office in London for advice.

"Due to the current instability in Juba the FCO has taken the decision to temporarily withdraw some staff and dependents," a spokesman said. "The embassy remains open, however, should British nationals in Juba require consular assistance we ask that you contact the FCO in London via text, online or by phone."

South Sudanese soldiers clashed on Wednesday near the flashpoint town of Bor after fighting spread from the capital, raising fears of a broader civil conflict.

An official in Bor, north of Juba, said soldiers attacked each other at two military barracks. One journalist said the barracks were controlled by troops loyal to the vice-president, Riek Machar, suggesting violence was increasingly running along ethnic lines.

Soldiers have been fighting in Juba since Sunday, in what President Salva Kiir said was an attempted coup launched by Machar's supporters. The president sacked Machar in July and political tensions have simmered since.

According to the online journal Sudan Tribune, Machar denied any role in the fighting or any coup attempt.

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