A UN evacuation in South Sudan was disrupted by gunfire, resulting in several deaths, including a crew member and a general. President Kiir claimed a second helicopter crashed, but the UN has not confirmed this. The situation endangers already fragile peace deals, prompting calls for national calm amid escalating violence and political tensions.
In South Sudan, a UN evacuation effort turned deadly when a helicopter came under gunfire, resulting in multiple fatalities. The UN’s mission in South Sudan, known as Unmiss, reported that one crew member was killed, along with an injured general and additional soldiers during the incident, which occurred in Upper Nile state.
President Salva Kiir mentioned that another helicopter took off post-attack but crash-landed, leading to further casualties among its passengers. The UN has not validated Kiir’s assertion yet indicated that the assault on the helicopter may constitute a war crime.
Escalating violence in the Upper Nile region threatens fragile peace agreements between President Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. The two leaders previously caused a civil war that resulted in 400,000 deaths and 2.5 million displacements, following a political split in 2013.
The ongoing conflict involves government forces battling the White Army, an ethnic militia historically aligned with Machar. Unmiss has been conducting evacuations of wounded personnel from the area in collaboration with these groups.
Nicholas Haysom, head of Unmiss, condemned the attack as “utterly abhorrent,” emphasizing its potential violation of international law. He expressed sorrow over the loss of their personnel and the soldiers they attempted to extract.
The slain army general, Gen Majur Dak, commanded forces in Nasir, an influential region in Upper Nile. With ongoing fighting, unrest has increased, with recent detentions of Machar’s allies raising concerns about a resurgence of war.
In response to the situation, President Kiir called for national calm, stating, “I have said time and again that our country would not go back to war. Let no-one take the law into their own hands.” South Sudan, having gained independence from Sudan in 2011, remains vulnerable amidst internal strife.
The recent shooting incident during a UN evacuation attempt in South Sudan highlights the precarious security situation in the region. With multiple casualties, including at least one UN crew member, this event exacerbates tensions stemming from prior civil conflicts. Efforts to maintain peace between political leaders remain fragile, while concerns grow over escalated violence and detentions of political allies. The call for calm by President Kiir indicates a desire to manage the crisis without reverting to war.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
