A U.N. helicopter was attacked in South Sudan during a rescue mission, resulting in one fatality and several injuries. President Salva Kiir has called for calm, asserting that the country will not return to war amid increasing tensions with Vice President Riek Machar. International reactions emphasize the need for accountability and dialogue to maintain peace.
On a recent Friday, a United Nations helicopter faced an attack during a rescue mission in South Sudan, resulting in the death of a crew member and serious injuries to two others. President Salva Kiir subsequently called for calm, asserting that the nation would “not go back to war,” amid rising tensions between factions loyal to himself and First Vice President Riek Machar.
The U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) indicated that their team was executing an operation to extract members of the South Sudanese army when the helicopter came under fire. During the same operation, several South Sudanese military personnel were reported dead, prompting UNMISS to imply that the attack could amount to a war crime.
In response to the escalating violence, President Kiir assured citizens, emphasizing his government’s commitment to peace. He stated, “Let no one take law into their hands,” reaffirming the need for stability in the country. His remarks came amid accusations from his alliance against Machar’s faction for inciting unrest linked to the so-called White Army, an ethnic militia group associated with Machar.
Vice President Machar’s office condemned the attack in a statement, deeming it a “barbaric act,” and reiterated the importance of restoring peace in the region. UNMISS head Nicholas Haysom also condemned the assault on their personnel, noting that it was “utterly abhorrent” and could constitute a war crime under international law.
In Juba, the government responded to the violence with arrests of several individuals affiliated with Machar, including high-profile ministers. These actions coincided with reported rebel incursions that had earlier led to significant civilian displacement in Nasir County.
The situation has alarmed regional and Western diplomats who believe recent developments pose a threat to the fragile 2018 peace agreement, which aimed to put an end to a brutal civil war that took 400,000 lives. As fears of civil conflict rise, the International Crisis Group has warned that South Sudan is on the verge of a full-blown war and urged international actors to prepare for potential escalating violence.
A coalition of embassies, including those of Canada, the United States, and the European Union, condemned the recent attack and called for urgent dialogue at the highest levels of leadership to avert further loss of life and ensure accountability within the government. The overarching call is for adherence to the peace agreement and a commitment to cease hostilities.
The recent attack on a U.N. helicopter in South Sudan underscores a volatile political climate marked by the struggle for power between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Efforts to maintain peace are intensified by threats arising from internal conflict, prompting local and international leaders to advocate for urgent dialogue and investigative measures. The implications of this incident could undermine the fragile peace established in 2018 and drive the nation closer to further violence if not addressed promptly.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
