South Sudan President Calls for Calm Following UN Helicopter Attack
Following an attack on a UN helicopter that killed a crew member, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has urged calm and assured that the country will not revert to war. The ongoing conflicts threaten the fragile power-sharing agreement with First Vice President Riek Machar. UN officials have condemned the actions as potentially constituting a war crime, prompting calls for investigations and dialogue to uphold peace.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has made a public appeal for calm following an assault on a United Nations helicopter, which resulted in the death of a crew member during a rescue operation. This attack occurred amidst heightened tensions between Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar’s allied forces, particularly in Upper Nile State, where recent clashes have jeopardized their fragile power-sharing agreement.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reported the helicopter was targeted while attempting to evacuate members of the South Sudanese army. The attack not only led to the death of a crew member but also left two others critically injured. Furthermore, multiple fatalities, including a South Sudanese army general, were noted in the failed rescue attempt, which UNMISS suggested could potentially be classified as a war crime.
President Kiir urged citizens to maintain calmness and reiterated the government’s commitment to peace, declaring, “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.” He affirmed that his administration is prepared to handle the crisis and remain committed to peace efforts.
Following the incident, Vice President Machar’s office condemned the attack as a “barbaric act” and emphasized the importance of restoring peace. Machar is actively engaging with all stakeholders to mitigate further violence in the region. The head of UNMISS, Nicholas Haysom, characterized the assault as an abhorrent act, requesting an investigation to bring those responsible to justice.
Tensions escalated following the overrunning of a government garrison by rebel forces, leading to arrests of various leaders associated with Machar’s faction. In response to the violence in Nasir County, UNMISS’s evacuation efforts aimed to reduce the casualties and civilian displacements caused by the unrest. Regional diplomats have expressed concern that recent developments pose a significant threat to the 2018 peace agreement that conclusively ended a devastating civil war.
Critics have voiced disapproval of Kiir’s political maneuvers, perceiving them as efforts to strengthen his position at the expense of Machar. With fears mounting regarding a resurgence of hostilities, analysts have warned that South Sudan may be on the precipice of another civil war. Calls for increased gestures of peace and dialogue among Juba-based leaders have been amplified by various international embassies.
In conclusion, President Salva Kiir’s appeal for calm highlights the fragile state of peace in South Sudan following an attack on a UN helicopter, which resulted in civilian casualties. As conflicts between army factions continue to threaten the established power-sharing agreement, both Kiir and Machar face immense pressure to restore order and protect the integrity of the peace deal. The international community has reiterated its commitment to holding those responsible for violence accountable while advocating for dialogue as a means to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
Original Source: punchng.com