A U.N. helicopter was attacked in South Sudan during a failed rescue, resulting in a crew member’s death and heightened tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. President Kiir urged calm, while Machar condemned the attack. International observers warn of potential violence if political stability is not restored.
In recent developments in South Sudan, the president, Salva Kiir, has made a call for calm following an attack on a United Nations helicopter that resulted in the death of a crew member during a rescue operation. This incident poses a significant threat to the fragile power-sharing agreement between Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, which has been strained by ongoing clashes in the northeastern Upper Nile State.
The U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reported that their team was attempting to rescue members of the South Sudanese army when the helicopter was targeted, leading to the death of one crew member and injuring two others severely. A South Sudanese army general and other officers were also reportedly killed during this failed rescue mission, with UNMISS suggesting that this incident could amount to a war crime.
In response, President Kiir assured the nation, stating emphatically, “I have said it time and again that our country will not go back to war. Let no one take law into their hands.” He expressed his commitment to maintaining peace despite the escalating tensions in the region. Conversely, Machar’s office condemned the attack, labeling it a “barbaric act,” and reiterated efforts to engage stakeholders to halt the cycle of violence.
Nicholas Haysom, head of UNMISS, condemned the attack, describing it as “utterly abhorrent” and recognizing the gravity of the situation. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric called for an investigation into this incident to hold the perpetrators accountable. This situation follows reports of a recent assault by rebels on a government garrison, fueling the volatility in the region.
In an effort to stabilize the situation, the South Sudanese government has arrested several allies of Machar, indicating a potential escalation in tensions. Additionally, diplomatic voices, including those from the United States, Britain, and the European Union, have urged South Sudanese leaders to prioritize dialogue and uphold the peace agreement established in 2018, which ended a devastating civil war.
Concerns about potential escalations towards widespread violence have intensified, with international observers noting the risks of ethnic massacres. Alan Boswell from the International Crisis Group warned that South Sudan is on the brink of full-blown war. Amidst this turmoil, a coalition of Western embassies has urged for strategic dialogue among leaders to prevent further violence and loss of life within the country.
The recent attack on a U.N. helicopter during a rescue mission in South Sudan has escalated tensions between opposing forces, threatening the fragile power-sharing agreement that ended a prolonged civil war. Both President Kiir and First Vice President Machar have articulated responses to mitigate the conflict, and there have been calls from international bodies for accountability and prevention of future violence. The situation remains precarious, with warnings of a potential descent into full-scale war if measures are not taken urgently.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
