In South Sudan, a UN helicopter evacuation mission was attacked, resulting in multiple casualties including a South Sudanese general. The UN condemned the attack as potentially a war crime. Current tensions threaten fragile peace efforts amid ethnic militia clashes and political arrests, prompting President Kiir to call for national calm and stability.
In recent clashes in South Sudan, the UN faced significant casualties after an evacuation attempt was attacked, resulting in the death of one crew member and several troops, including a South Sudanese general. A statement from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) referred to the assault on their helicopter as potentially qualifying as a war crime. The attack occurred in Upper Nile state, where the situation has been destabilizing due to ongoing conflicts.
According to the South Sudanese Information Minister, a total of twenty-seven individuals lost their lives during the escalation of violence in the region. Tensions between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar have been high, threatening a fragile peace that followed the civil war from 2013 to 2018, which caused extensive humanitarian crises and displacements.
The armed forces of South Sudan are engaged in conflict with the White Army, an ethnic militia supporting Machar. UNMISS confirmed that they are facilitating the transport of wounded troops from the conflict area. Head of UNMISS, Nicholas Haysom, condemned the assault on UN personnel as “extremely abhorrent,” expressing condolences for the loss of their colleague.
President Kiir reported that General Majur Dak, who commanded stationed forces in Nasir, was among those killed in the attack. Recent arrests of several of Machar’s associates, including high-ranking officials, have stoked fears of a return to war. Following the violent incident, Kiir urged citizens to remain calm and insisted on the government’s commitment to manage the situation, asserting that the country will not revert to conflict.
The situation in South Sudan remains precarious following the attack on UN helicopters during a troop evacuation. The rising violence threatens previously established peace agreements, and the deaths of military personnel have raised alarms regarding potential war crimes. President Kiir’s calls for calm and the government’s efforts to handle the crisis are critical in maintaining stability in the world’s newest nation.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
