An attack on a UN helicopter in South Sudan resulted in the deaths of a general and many soldiers, raising alarm over the integrity of the peace process. The United Nations condemned the incident as heinous and potentially a war crime. Escalating tensions, with the detention of key officials, threaten the fragile stability achieved since the 2018 peace agreement.
A tragic incident in South Sudan resulted in the deaths of a South Sudanese general and numerous soldiers during an attack on a United Nations helicopter in the northern town of Nasir. The helicopter was attempting to evacuate troops following intense fighting between national forces and the White Army militia, which is reportedly linked to rival factions within the government. The United Nations condemned the attack as “utterly abhorrent” and described it as potentially constituting a war crime, signaling a serious threat to the fragile peace process in the region.
In his national address, President Salva Kiir confirmed the deaths of General Majur Dak and indicated that assurance had been given by First Vice President Riek Machar that the general would be secure during the evacuation mission. Kiir’s information minister revealed that approximately 27 soldiers were killed, alongside a member of the U.N. crew. It remains unclear whether the helicopter was targeted while airborne or on the ground during the assault.
Machar’s spokesman refrained from commenting on the matter, although previously his party has denied involvement in the recent conflicts in Nasir. The head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Nicholas Haysom, reiterated the need for accountability and investigation into the attack, describing the incident as a grave violation of international law.
In a further complication for the peace process, security forces have detained several senior officials aligned with Machar, including the petroleum and peacebuilding ministers, further escalating tensions between Kiir’s and Machar’s factions. While Kiir asserted that the nation would not revert to war, analysts remain concerned that rising tensions could ignite another conflict in the region.
The United Nations has called for dialogue among leaders to calm the situation, advocating for restraint and expressing concern over the emerging violence. Despite the formal peace achieved in 2018 ending a devastating civil war, skirmishes between factions continue to threaten stability in South Sudan.
The attack on the UN helicopter in South Sudan has resulted in significant casualties and raises serious concerns regarding the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement. Both the United Nations and the government have condemned the violence, labeling it potentially criminal under international law. Additionally, ongoing political tensions and detentions pose substantial risks to the nation’s stability, necessitating urgent dialogue and intervention among leaders to prevent further escalation of conflict.
Original Source: news.az
