UN Helicopter Attack in South Sudan: A Serious Escalation of Conflict
A UN helicopter in South Sudan was attacked near Nasir, killing one crew member. The assault occurred amid fighting between South Sudanese forces and the White Army militia, linked to Riek Machar, the First Vice President. UNMISS condemned the attack as a potential war crime and called for investigations. The volatile situation is worsened by recent arrests of officials allied with Machar, raising concerns regarding the peace process in the country.
A recent attack on a United Nations helicopter in South Sudan near the town of Nasir has resulted in the death of one crew member and injuries to several soldiers. The attack occurred while the helicopter was attempting to evacuate South Sudanese troops amidst ongoing clashes between government forces and the White Army militia, a group associated with Riek Machar, the First Vice President, who is a rival of President Salva Kiir’s government.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemned the attack, labeling it as “utterly abhorrent” and suggesting it may constitute a war crime under international law. Nicholas Haysom, head of UNMISS, expressed deep regret over the casualties during the attempted evacuation, despite prior assurances of safe passage. He called for an investigation to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the violence.
In a related context, the tensions have escalated as the White Army, typically comprised of Nuer ethnic group members, has a history of conflict with the Dinka troops loyal to Kiir, particularly from the civil war period of 2013-2018. Additionally, this week Machar’s spokesperson reported the arrest of several high-ranking officials allied with him, including the petroleum and peacebuilding ministers, further unsettling the fragile peace in the nation. The government has yet to issue any statement regarding these detentions, while Machar’s party has denied participating in the recent violence in Nasir.
The attack on the UN helicopter in South Sudan highlights the ongoing tensions in the region, exacerbated by historical ethnic conflicts and recent detentions of senior officials. UNMISS’s call for accountability emphasizes the need for safeguarding peace efforts amid escalating unrest. This incident could further jeopardize the fragile peace in South Sudan, underscoring the importance of thorough investigations into such acts of violence.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
