Attack on UN Helicopter in South Sudan Claims Lives and Threatens Peace Process
A UN helicopter was attacked in South Sudan, killing a general and soldiers during an evacuation. This incident threatens the fragile peace process established after the civil war. The UN condemned the attack and urged for investigations and dialogue among leaders to maintain security and prevent further unrest.
A recent attack on a United Nations helicopter in South Sudan has resulted in the deaths of a South Sudanese general and numerous soldiers. The helicopter, which was attempting to evacuate these individuals from Nasir in the northern region, faced aggression amid ongoing clashes between national forces and the White Army militia. This incident poses a significant risk to the already precarious peace process within the nation.
President Salva Kiir addressed the nation following the attack, emphasizing that his government remains committed to maintaining peace and averting a return to war. Kiir mentioned that assurances of safety were given for General Majur Dak and his troops prior to the rescue mission’s deployment. He urged the populace to keep calm and stated, “I have said it time and again that our country will not go back to war. Let no one take law into their hands.”
The attack resulted in the death of approximately 27 troops, along with a member of the UN crew. Details surrounding the incident remain unclear, particularly regarding whether the helicopter was struck while airborne or on the ground. Following the conflict, tensions have escalated between Kiir and Machar, leading to arrests among senior military officials associated with Machar’s government.
Nicholas Haysom, head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), condemned the attack as “utterly abhorrent” and highlighted the need for an investigation into the incident. He expressed regret over the loss of life, particularly of those being evacuated, and called for accountability for the perpetrators. The potential for renewed civil war looms as analysts speculate on the growing tensions between opposing factions within the country.
The UN has called for restraint and urged leaders from all factions to engage in dialogue to resolve the emerging crisis. Since its independence in 2011, South Sudan has been home to nearly 20,000 peacekeepers from various nations, tasked with maintaining stability in a region plagued by turmoil since the end of its five-year civil war in 2018.
In summary, the recent attack on a UN helicopter in South Sudan marks a bleak moment in the nation’s fragile peace process, costing the lives of key figures amidst heightened tensions between rival factions. The international community, through UN leadership, emphasizes the urgent need for accountability and strategic interventions to avert further violence and potential civil conflict. The situation necessitates dialogue among South Sudan’s leaders to restore stability and peace.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
