Recently, President Kiir dismissed the governor of Upper Nile state amid increasing clashes, further complicating the already fragile political landscape.

Germany has maintained a travel warning for South Sudan for several years due to the ongoing instability in the region.

In an effort to mediate the crisis, German diplomats, along with representatives from several other nations, have offered to facilitate discussions between Kiir and Machar.

The situation raises alarms about South Sudan potentially returning to conflict, nearly seven years after a civil war that resulted in over 400,000 deaths.

The transitional government formed by President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar in 2020 is now at risk of collapse due to renewed conflict.

There are fears that the conflict could extend beyond current hotspots, with the possibility of neighboring Sudanese factions intervening.

Violence has escalated, particularly along the border with Ethiopia, where clashes between militia groups affiliated with the Nuer ethnic community and government forces have resulted in civilian casualties.

Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has been plagued by ongoing political turmoil and violence.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has criticized both Kiir and Machar for exacerbating the violence and urged them to honor their peace agreement.

A peace agreement signed in 2018 aimed to resolve the previous civil war, but tensions remain high and the rivalry between Kiir and Machar continues to hinder lasting peace.

In response to the escalating violence, Germany has temporarily closed its embassy in South Sudan, prioritizing the safety of its staff.

Nicholas Haysom, head of UN peacekeeping in South Sudan, has expressed concerns about the country potentially slipping back into civil war.