A U.N. helicopter was attacked in Nasir, South Sudan, leading to the death of a crew member and several soldiers. The incident occurred during an evacuation attempt amidst clashes between national forces and the White Army militia. U.N. head Nicholas Haysom condemned the attack as potentially a war crime and urged for accountability. Political tensions are heightened as several officials linked to First Vice President Riek Machar have been detained, threatening the peace process.
On Friday, a United Nations helicopter in Nasir, South Sudan, was targeted while attempting to evacuate South Sudanese troops, resulting in the death of one crew member and multiple soldiers, including a general. This incident occurred amid heavy fighting between the national forces and the White Army militia, which has ties to both President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar’s rival factions.
Nicholas Haysom, head of the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), condemned the attack, characterizing it as “utterly abhorrent” and potentially a war crime under international law. He expressed deep regret for the casualties among those they were attempting to extract, especially given that assurances for safe passage had been received. UNMISS is calling for an investigation into the attack to hold those responsible accountable.
Efforts to contact the South Sudanese government’s Information Minister, Michael Makuei, were unsuccessful. However, it was announced that President Kiir would address the nation later that afternoon. The White Army, predominantly consisting of the Nuer ethnic group, previously fought alongside Machar’s forces during the civil war that lasted from 2013 to 2018.
Recent developments have raised concerns regarding the fragile peace process in South Sudan, as Machar’s spokesperson reported that several key officials allied with him, including the petroleum and peacebuilding ministers, had been detained by security forces. The government has not made any statements regarding these detentions, and Machar’s party has denied any involvement in the ongoing violence in Nasir.
The U.N. helicopter incident in South Sudan highlights the ongoing violence and complexities of the country’s political landscape, particularly the tensions between government forces and rival factions. The U.N.’s call for accountability and investigation underscores the need for adherence to international law amidst these conflicts. The recent detentions of key officials further threaten the fragile peace process, emphasizing the urgent need for dialogue and stability in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.newsbreak.com
