Recent clashes in South Sudan led to the deaths of twenty-seven individuals, including a UN crew member, following an attack during a military evacuation. The UN condemned the assault as a potential war crime, while President Kiir reported further casualties, including a general. Ongoing violence threatens the fragile peace deal, raising concerns of renewed conflict.
In South Sudan, a tragic turn of events occurred when an attempt by the United Nations to evacuate members of the national army resulted in gunfire, leading to significant casualties. A report from the UN confirmed the death of one crew member and injuries to a South Sudanese general, along with several other soldiers during this evacuation operation in Upper Nile state. The UN has condemned the attack, stating it could be classified as a war crime.
During the chaos, President Salva Kiir reported that a second helicopter, which successfully took off after the initial attack, ultimately crash-landed with no survivors. However, the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) clarified that both helicopters managed to land safely in Malakal. The South Sudanese Information Minister, Michael Makuei, indicated that a total of twenty-seven South Sudanese lost their lives in these events.
The recent violence in Upper Nile poses a serious threat to the fragile peace agreement established between President Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar. Their prior disagreement in 2013 had ignited a devastating five-year civil war, resulting in approximately 400,000 deaths and the displacement of 2.5 million individuals. Despite signing a peace accord in 2018, the situation has not stabilized.
The ongoing clashes involve armed forces and the White Army, an ethnic militia allied with Machar during the civil war. UNMISS is attempting to facilitate the evacuation of wounded soldiers amidst this conflict. Nicholas Haysom, the UNMISS head, condemned the attack on personnel, reiterating that it could constitute a war crime under international law and expressing sorrow over the tragic loss.
President Kiir identified the deceased general as Gen Majur Dak, commander of the forces in Nasir, Upper Nile. Amidst escalating violence, government authorities have initiated arrests that provoke fears of a potential return to war, particularly affecting allies of Machar, including the oil minister and a senior military general, who were detained earlier this week. In response to the attack, President Kiir has urged the nation to maintain calm and reiterated that the government will address the crisis efficiently.
The recent escalation of violence in South Sudan underscores the fragility of the peace agreement between President Kiir and Vice-President Machar. The UN’s condemnation of the recent attack and the resulting casualties highlights the ongoing conflict’s potential to spiral into further turmoil. With significant unrest and various arrests, concerns over a rekindled civil war persist. The leadership’s call for calm is essential as the nation navigates this precarious situation.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
