UN Helicopter Assault Highlights Rising Tensions in South Sudan
In South Sudan, a UN helicopter was attacked while attempting a rescue mission amid escalating tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar regarding a fragile power-sharing deal. The helicopter attack resulted in one crew member dead and others injured. Both leaders have made statements addressing the situation, with Kiir urging calm and Machar condemning the violence. The UN has called for accountability for this aggression.
On Friday, a United Nations (UN) helicopter was targeted in South Sudan amidst growing national tensions. President Salva Kiir emphasized that the nation cannot afford a return to conflict, despite ongoing disputes with First Vice President Riek Machar regarding their fragile power-sharing arrangement. Reports indicated clashes in the northeastern Upper Nile State, exacerbating the precarious situation.
According to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the helicopter was under fire while attempting to evacuate troops from the South Sudanese army. Tragically, the attack resulted in the death of one crew member and left two others seriously injured. The UNMISS also reported the deaths of a South Sudanese army general and several officers during this operation.
President Kiir urged the population to remain calm, reiterating, “I have said it time and again that our country will not go back to war. Let no one take the law into their hands,” asserting the government’s commitment to sustaining peace. He expressed determination to manage the current crisis responsibly.
The civil war officially concluded in 2018 following a peace deal between Kiir and Machar; however, recent months have seen an escalation in hostilities. Kiir’s administration has accused Machar of inciting unrest through the White Army, which has heightened tensions significantly.
Subsequent to the helicopter attack, Machar’s office condemned this “barbaric act,” highlighting ongoing efforts to prioritize peace restoration and engage with key stakeholders to avert escalating violence. Nicholas Haysom, head of UNMISS, labeled the assault on UN personnel as “utterly abhorrent” and suggested it could constitute a war crime, urging accountability.
UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric demanded a thorough investigation to identify those responsible for the attack. In light of the rising tensions, the government has detained several officials, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam, and Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol, demonstrating the seriousness of the situation amid significant civilian displacement and casualties due to the conflict.
The recent attack on a UN helicopter in South Sudan underscores the heightened tensions between government and opposition factions, particularly surrounding power-sharing disputes. President Kiir’s reassurances of peace contrast sharply with ongoing violence and retaliatory actions against officials. The UN has condemned the attack and called for accountability, emphasizing the urgent need for a renewed commitment to peace and stability in the region.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
