UK advises nationals in South Sudan to leave country

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The UK on Thursday advised its nationals in South Sudan to leave the country if they are able to.

The advisory from the Foreign Office came a day after the number of British embassy staff in the capital Juba was temporarily reduced due to the "risk of increased insecurity."

"FCDO advises against all travel to South Sudan due to the risk of armed violence and criminality. If you are in South Sudan and judge it safe to do so, you should leave now," said the Foreign Office.

The embassy remains open in order to carry out essential work, but consular assistance to British nationals is severely limited in the East African country, said the Foreign Office, adding that in-person consular assistance is not available.