U.S. evacuates diplomatic staffers from South Sudan – World Tribune: Window on the Real World

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WASHINGTON — The United States, helpless in efforts to end the civil war, has been withdrawing staff from South Sudan.

The Defense Department has overseen the evacuation of diplomatic and other staffers in the South Sudanese capital of Juba. So far, close to 200 U.S. government staffers were flown out of Juba amid the revolt against the Juba regime.

Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response help U.S. citizens into a Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules airplane in Juba, South Sudan, during an evacuation of personnel from the U.S. Embassy, Jan. 3, 2014. A squad-size element of U.S. Marines from Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response successfully evacuated more than 20 personnel from the U.S. Embassy in coordination with the East Africa Response Force, and under the command and control of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. /U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III — Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response members help U.S. citizens into a C-130J Hercules airplane in Juba, South Sudan on Jan. 3. /U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III

“We are standing by and prepared to respond to any requests from the State Department to evacuate the few remaining personnel that are in Juba,” Pentagon spokesman Steven Warren said.

On Jan. 3, the Pentagon said U.S. Marines evacuated 20 embassy staffers from Juba earlier that day. Officials said two C-130 air transports based in Uganda had been allocated to rescue the Americans.

At the same time, the military’s Africa Command has reinforced security at the embassy. The Marines, part of a 45-member military presence, have also been used to ensure the safety of Americans taken from the embassy to the C-130 aircraft.

“They were positioned in Juba several weeks ago and they remain there,”
Warren said.

The United States has been one of the biggest supporters of South Sudan, which formally seceded from Sudan in 2011. The administration of President Barack Obama has allocated $300 million over the last year as well as approved arms exports to Juba.

“We have contingency plans in place,” Warren said. “And we believe that
we’re well postured in the region to provide any type of support that is
requested.”

Juba, Pentagon, Steven Warren, U.S. evacuates diplomatic staffers from South Sudan

U.S. evacuates diplomatic staffers from South Sudan added by World Tribune on January 6, 2014
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