Greetings.  

Over the last 48-72 hours, news outlets reported significant unrest and perhaps an attempted coup against the government of South Sudan.  Casualty reports are unconfirmed, but intense gun battles in the capital city, Juba, on Sunday have continued as sporadic gunfire through Tuesday.  The government has imposed extensive curfew hours and at last report, the airport in Juba remains closed.  Abt has a total of forty-seven staff employed in South Sudan, working on 2 projects, one for International Economic Growth, the other for International Health.  All staff are reported safe and sheltering in place, including two HQ staff there on temporary assignment.

The U.S. Embassy in Juba has issued advice to U.S. citizens to depart immediately and instituted the ordered departure of non-emergency USG personnel.  While gun battles between loyalist and opposition troops seem to be declining in intensity, the situation remains volatile.  Working in concert, our crisis management team here in Bethesda and our senior managers in South Sudan successfully implemented our emergency communications plan and have developed an evacuation plan for the nine expatriates and third country nationals who remain in country today.  We will advise regarding significant changes in the situation and particularly, when the Juba airport reopens and we are able to safely evacuate personnel.

Best regards,

Jay

Jay L. Knott | Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer | Abt Associates

O: 301-347-5896| F: 301-828-9739 | www.abtassociates.com

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