A UN helicopter was attacked in South Sudan, leading to one crew member’s death. The attack is believed to be linked to the White Army militia, associated with First Vice President Riek Machar. UNMISS condemned the incident, labeling it potentially a war crime, and called for accountability as political tensions heighten following arrests of Machar’s allies.
A tragic incident occurred in South Sudan when a United Nations helicopter was attacked near Nasir while attempting to evacuate South Sudanese soldiers. This incident, as reported by the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), led to the death of one crew member and injuries to several soldiers involved. The attack is attributed to the White Army militia, which is associated with Riek Machar, the First Vice President and rival of President Salva Kiir’s administration.
The helicopter was targeted amid escalating violence resulting from fierce clashes between South Sudanese forces and the White Army militia. Nicholas Haysom, head of UNMISS, condemned the attack as “utterly abhorrent” and indicated that it may amount to a war crime under international law. He emphasized the tragic loss of lives during the evacuation attempt, especially as safe passage had been promised.
In light of this incident, President Salva Kiir announced plans to address the nation, expressing concern over the state of peace in the region. The White Army, primarily composed of members from the Nuer ethnic group, previously allied with Machar’s forces during the civil war from 2013 to 2018, highlighting the ethnic tensions in South Sudan’s ongoing conflicts.
Furthermore, Machar’s spokesperson recently disclosed that key security personnel, including the petroleum and peacebuilding ministers, as well as senior military officials close to Machar, had been detained. These actions raised apprehension regarding the stability of the fragile peace process in South Sudan, although the government has not publicly commented on these arrests. Machar’s party has denied any link to the current clashes in Nasir, further complicating the political landscape.
In summary, the recent attack on a UN helicopter in South Sudan resulted in the death of a crew member and underscores the perilous security situation within the country. The UNMISS condemned the attack and called for an investigation, while tensions between rival factions persist amidst arrests of senior officials connected to Riek Machar. The ongoing ethnic strife and political precariousness continue to threaten peace efforts in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
