South Sudan President Salva Kiir called for calm after a deadly attack killed 27 individuals, including military and UN personnel, during a helicopter evacuation in Nasir County. He reiterated his commitment to peace and warned against taking the law into one’s own hands. The UN has requested an investigation into the event, underscoring the fragile situation following recent clashes related to ongoing political tensions within the country.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir urged citizens to remain calm after a violent attack resulted in the death of 27 individuals, including military personnel and UN staff, during a UN evacuation effort in Upper Nile State’s Nasir County. This incident arose amidst escalating tensions between government forces and the White Army militia allied with the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO). Kiir emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and preventing a return to war.
The attack occurred when two UN helicopters were targeted while attempting to evacuate South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) officers trapped in Nasir following earlier clashes. Tragically, General Majur Dak, a commander, and several other officers were killed in the assault, while one pilot survived an incident where one helicopter crash-landed in Malakal, claiming more lives.
In response, Kiir called for restraint nationwide and reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to peace. He assured the public, “I have said time and again that our country will not go back to war. Let no one take the law into their own hands. The government, which I lead, will handle this crisis.”
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth confirmed the casualty figures and stressed the need for accountability. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has also requested an investigation and urged leaders to engage in dialogue to reduce tensions and avoid further conflicts, pointing to the fragile state of the 2018 peace agreement.
Recent clashes in Nasir, preceded by arrests of senior officers linked to SPLM/A-IO, have further complicated the already tenuous peace situation. Analysts warn this violence indicates the ongoing instability threatening the country’s peace processes and the essential need for continued dialogue to prevent future conflicts.
President Salva Kiir’s appeal for peace and calm comes in the wake of a violent incident claiming numerous lives, including military and UN personnel. The attack reflects the ongoing tensions between SSPDF and local militias while highlighting the fragility of South Sudan’s peace agreements. Kiir’s administration and the UN have both emphasized the importance of accountability and dialogue to maintain stability and prevent further violence.
Original Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com
