A UN helicopter in South Sudan was attacked while evacuating troops, resulting in fatalities among soldiers and a crew member. UNMISS condemned the violence, suggesting it may amount to a war crime, and called for investigations. Escalating tensions are evident, with recent detentions of officials linked to opposition leader Riek Machar, jeopardizing the peace process.
On Friday in Nasir, South Sudan, a United Nations helicopter faced gunfire while attempting to evacuate South Sudanese soldiers, resulting in the tragic death of a crew member and several soldiers, including a general. The U.N. mission indicated that the helicopter was airlifting troops after severe clashes between government forces and the White Army militia, a faction associated with opposition leader Riek Machar.
Nicholas Haysom, head of the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), condemned the attack, stating, “The attack… is utterly abhorrent and may constitute a war crime under international law.” He expressed remorse for the loss of those the U.N. aimed to rescue and called for an investigation to identify and hold accountable the perpetrators.
Despite attempts to contact Information Minister Michael Makuei, there was no response from the government. However, President Salva Kiir’s office indicated that he would address the nation later that day concerning the situation.
The White Army, primarily composed of members from the Nuer ethnic group, previously fought alongside Machar during the civil war from 2013 to 2018, opposing predominately Dinka troops loyal to Kiir. Recently, tensions escalated as Machar’s officials reported that governmental security forces had detained several high-ranking members of his party, raising concerns about the stability of the country’s peace process.
The government has remained silent on these arrests, and Machar’s party has denied involvement in the Nasir fighting, further complicating the fragile political situation in South Sudan.
The recent helicopter attack in South Sudan highlights the escalating violence between government forces and the White Army militia. The United Nations condemned the incident, labeling it potentially a war crime and calling for accountability. Furthermore, recent detentions of political figures aligned with Riek Machar underscore the fragility of the peace process in the region, prompting concerns about escalating tensions.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
