A commander of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and a UN crew member were killed during a failed evacuation in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, prompting condemnation from UNMISS and highlighting ongoing tensions linked to the White Army and SPLM-IO. The situation remains precarious as South Sudan prepares for upcoming elections and endeavors to stabilize political relations.
On Friday morning in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, a commander of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and a United Nations crew member were killed after a UN helicopter was ambushed during an evacuation mission. This operation was meant to airlift SSPDF soldiers, including Gen. Majur Dak, who were trapped due to clashes with a local militia known as the White Army, an organized group primarily composed of Nuer youths.
Earlier in the week, the White Army had taken control of Nasir’s military barracks, prompting the SSPDF to blame the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) for inciting the unrest. This escalation has led to the arrest of several senior SPLM-IO officials in Juba, complicating the situation further and impairing peace efforts.
Ter Chuol Gatkuoth, a commander of the White Army in Nasir, confirmed the evacuation attempt failed, leading to Gen. Majur’s death during the operation. Puok Both Baluang, the spokesperson for Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, indicated that the evacuation had been organized with local leaders, and the SSPDF soldiers were instructed to leave their vehicles upon the helicopter’s arrival. However, a sudden rush of SSPDF soldiers toward the helicopter sparked a violent response from the White Army, resulting in casualties.
Baluang mentioned that the transfer of injured and deceased SSPDF soldiers from Nasir to Malakal is underway, noting that some SPLM-IO officials assisting the commissioner of Nasir County were also injured due to the skirmish. Additionally, he reported multiple casualties among the SPLA soldiers during this exchange of gunfire.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) confirmed that their helicopter was attacked during the failed evacuation, resulting in the death of a crew member and injuries to two others. UNMISS stated that the evacuation was conducted at the behest of all involved parties and was aimed at mitigating violence and political tensions in the area. They condemned the attack as “utterly abhorrent,” potentially constituting a war crime under international law.
Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, voiced deep sorrow for the loss of life and stressed the necessity of an investigation to hold those accountable. He urged all parties to cease violence and for South Sudanese leaders to urgently engage in dialogue to resolve the ongoing tensions. This incident highlights the precarious security environment in South Sudan ahead of its first post-independence elections set for December 2026, as challenges related to political tensions and the reintegration of armed groups into a unified national army persist.
The recent incident in Nasir illustrates the critical and unstable security situation in South Sudan. The deaths of a high-ranking SSPDF commander and a UN crew member have exacerbated pre-existing tensions among local factions. The ongoing efforts to engage in dialogues and de-escalate violence are crucial as the country approaches pivotal elections. The international community’s response, including the call for accountability and investigation, remains essential to fostering peace in the region.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
