South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has urged for calm following an attack on a UN helicopter, resulting in one crew member’s death. The incident highlights increasing tensions between Kiir’s and Riek Machar’s factions amidst fears of a return to violence. International calls for peaceful dialogue emphasize the importance of the 2018 peace agreement, which ended a devastating civil war.
The President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, has called for calm following an attack on a UN helicopter during a rescue mission, which resulted in the death of a crew member. He assured the nation that South Sudan would “not go back to war” in light of rising tensions caused by clashes between forces loyal to him and those of First Vice President Riek Machar in Upper Nile State.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reported that their helicopter was targeted while attempting to evacuate South Sudanese army members from an area experiencing violence. This attack, which led to the death of a crew member and serious injuries to two others, may represent a war crime according to UNMISS statements.
In his appeal, President Kiir urged citizens to maintain peace and stated, “Let no one take law into their hands,” emphasizing that his government would manage the ongoing crisis effectively. South Sudan’s stability remains precarious since the 2018 power-sharing agreement aimed at resolving a five-year civil war between Kiir and Machar.
Tensions have escalated as Kiir’s camp has alleged that Machar’s forces, in alliance with the armed youth group known as the White Army, have been instigating violence in Nasir County. The head of UNMISS, Nicholas Haysom, condemned the attack on UN personnel and expressed regret over the casualties sustained during the evacuation attempt.
In response to the violence, Kiir’s administration has arrested several allies of Machar, including high-ranking officials such as Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol, though the latter was released shortly thereafter.
The situation poses a serious threat to the fragile peace established in 2018, which ended a conflict responsible for approximately 400,000 deaths. International diplomats and embassies, including those from the US, Britain, and the EU, have urged South Sudanese leaders to demonstrate their commitment to peace.
Moreover, scrutiny of Kiir’s recent political maneuvers suggests an effort to consolidate power, including the dismissal of two vice-presidents without broader consultation and the removal of a governor affiliated with Machar’s faction.
The situation in South Sudan remains tense after the attack on a UN helicopter, which resulted in casualties and raised concerns about the potential for renewed conflict. President Kiir’s appeal for calm aims to assure citizens that peaceful dialogue is paramount. However, ongoing political struggles and military clashes threaten the delicate post-civil war stability established by the 2018 peace agreement. Strong international support and pressure for adherence to peace commitments will be essential moving forward.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
