A South Sudanese general and around 27 soldiers were killed when a UN helicopter was attacked during an evacuation attempt in Nasir. The UN condemned the act as a potential war crime, jeopardizing the fragile peace process between President Kiir and Vice-President Machar. Tensions are mounting due to recent clashes and political arrests, raising concerns of a renewed conflict in the world’s youngest nation.
A South Sudanese general and numerous soldiers were killed in an attack on a United Nations helicopter while attempting to evacuate them from Nasir. The UN condemned the incident as “utterly abhorrent” and labelled it a possible war crime, threatening the peace process in the region. Tensions escalated recently due to clashes between allied forces of President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar in Upper Nile state.
The UN crew was deployed to rescue the troops following heavy fighting in Nasir involving national forces and the White Army, a militia allegedly linked to Machar’s faction. President Kiir highlighted Machar’s prior assurances of safety regarding the rescue mission. Kiir called for calm, emphasizing that he would lead the effort to maintain peace, stating there will be no return to war.
Information Minister Michael Makuei reported that around 27 soldiers were killed in the incident, which also resulted in the death of a UN crew member. The exact circumstances of the helicopter’s attack—whether it took place while airborne or on the ground—remain unclear. South Sudan, which emerged from a five-year civil war in 2018, faces renewed accusations against Machar’s forces for instigating unrest in the region.
Machar’s spokesperson declined to comment on the attack, although the party has previously denied involvement in recent violence. The head of the UN mission in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, condemned the attack, stressing the need for an investigation into the circumstances and calling for accountability.
The government has made recent arrests of various officials associated with Machar, including the petroleum and peacebuilding ministers, potentially endangering the fragile 2018 peace agreement. The White Army had previously fought in the civil war against Kiir’s forces, and analysts are concerned that the escalating tensions could lead to renewed widespread conflict.
Alan Boswell from the International Crisis Group warned of the rapid descent into a broader war and called for UN peacekeepers to prepare for imminent civilian protection. The UN has urged all parties to cease violence and seek dialogue to stabilize the situation, particularly in Nasir, while nearly 20,000 peacekeepers continue to serve in South Sudan since its independence in 2011.
The incident involving the UN helicopter in South Sudan highlights ongoing instability and potential threats to peace. With a significant number of military casualties and international condemnation of the attack, key leaders must prioritize dialogue and conflict resolution to prevent a resurgence of widespread violence. As political tensions rise, the role of the UN peacekeeping mission becomes increasingly crucial in protecting civilians and maintaining order in the country. The future of South Sudan’s fragile peace depends on effective cooperation among its leadership and the proactive intervention of international bodies.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
