A U.N. helicopter was fired upon in Nasir, South Sudan, leading to the death of a crew member and several soldiers. The U.N. condemned the incident as potentially a war crime and called for an investigation. Amidst the unrest, political tensions are escalating following the arrest of several officials linked to Riek Machar.
On Friday in Nasir, South Sudan, a United Nations helicopter faced gunfire during an operation to evacuate South Sudanese troops, resulting in the death of one crew member and several soldiers, including a general. The U.N. mission reported that the helicopter was engaged amidst violent clashes between national forces and the White Army militia, which the South Sudanese government associates with opposition figures.
Nicholas Haysom, the head of the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), condemned the attack, stating, “The attack… is utterly abhorrent and may constitute a war crime under international law.” He further expressed regret over the fatalities of the soldiers the U.N. was attempting to rescue and emphasized the need for an investigation into the incident.
Attempts to obtain a comment from the South Sudanese government’s spokesperson yielded no response, although President Salva Kiir’s office indicated that he would address the nation later that day. Tensions are high as the White Army, primarily comprised of the Nuer ethnic group, had previously allied with First Vice President Riek Machar during the civil war from 2013 to 2018.
Recent political unrest has heightened in South Sudan as security forces reportedly detained several senior officials linked to Machar, prompting concerns about the stability of the peace process in the region. The government has yet to publicly address these detentions, and Machar’s party has denied any connection to the conflict in Nasir.
The attack on the U.N. helicopter in Nasir marks a significant escalation in violence within South Sudan, raising concerns about both human safety and international law. The incident underscores the fragility of peace in the nation, exacerbated by recent political developments, including the detention of high-ranking officials affiliated with Vice President Riek Machar. The U.N. calls for accountability and an investigation into the tragic events surrounding the evacuation effort.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
