UN Evacuation Effort in South Sudan Disrupted by Fatal Shooting Incident

A UN eviction attempt in South Sudan ended in violence, resulting in several deaths. One crew member was killed when a UN helicopter was attacked, and the South Sudanese army general fatally injured. President Salva Kiir reported a second helicopter crash, leading to more fatalities. The ongoing conflict in Upper Nile raises concern over the stability of an already fragile peace deal.

In South Sudan, a tragic incident occurred during a UN evacuation mission, resulting in multiple fatalities. A UN helicopter was attacked, leading to the death of one crew member and the injuries of a South Sudanese general, along with several soldiers. The statement from the UN mission in South Sudan (Unmiss) highlighted the severity of the situation as several individuals lost their lives during the evacuation in Upper Nile state.

President Salva Kiir reported that a second UN helicopter took off following the attack but crash-landed, claiming the lives of all its passengers. Although Unmiss has not substantiated Kiir’s remarks, they did assert that the assault on the helicopter “may constitute a war crime.”

The ongoing conflict in the Upper Nile region has exacerbated tensions surrounding the precarious peace agreement established between Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar. The civil strife initiated by a rift between these leaders in 2013 led to significant bloodshed, with over 400,000 casualties and an estimated 2.5 million people displaced. Despite a peace deal signed in 2018, tensions have persisted.

Current fighting involves clashes between South Sudan’s armed forces and the White Army, an ethnic militia allied with Machar during the civil war. In collaboration with both factions, Unmiss has been executing evacuations of wounded soldiers from the conflict area. Unmiss head Nicholas Haysom expressed deep regret over the attack, stating it was “utterly abhorrent” and reaffirming the conviction that it could constitute a war crime.

In the aftermath of the attack, President Kiir identified the deceased army general as Gen. Majur Dak, who oversaw operations in Nasir, an Upper Nile region. Concurrently, heightened arrests of prominent officials aligned with Machar, including the oil minister, have raised alarms regarding a possible resurgence of conflict. Urging calm, Kiir declared, “I have said time and again, that our country would not go back to war. The government, which I lead, will handle this crisis.”

South Sudan, having gained independence from Sudan in 2011, remains the world’s newest nation amidst ongoing turmoil and unrest.

The recent clash during a UN evacuation mission in South Sudan resulted in tragic losses, highlighting the continued instability in the region. With the potential war crime implications of the attacks, the situation is dire as leaders strive to maintain peace amidst growing tensions. President Kiir’s calls for calm reflect the need for stability in a nation already grappling with the aftermath of a brutal civil war and political strife.

Original Source: www.bbc.com

About Marcus Chen

Marcus Chen has a rich background in multimedia journalism, having worked for several prominent news organizations across Asia and North America. His unique ability to bridge cultural gaps enables him to report on global issues with sensitivity and insight. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, and has reported from conflict zones, bringing forth stories that resonate with readers worldwide.

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