Deadly Shooting Disrupts UN Evacuation in South Sudan

A UN evacuation in South Sudan resulted in several fatalities after a helicopter was shot at, leading to the death of a crew member and others. The situation in Upper Nile has worsened, jeopardizing a fragile peace deal between President Kiir and Vice-President Machar. The UN condemned the attack as potentially a war crime, amidst rising tensions and arrests in the country.

In South Sudan, a UN evacuation attempt was disrupted by gunfire, resulting in multiple fatalities. A statement from the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reported that one crew member died when a UN helicopter came under attack. Additionally, the evacuation operation resulted in the deaths of an injured South Sudanese general and several troops in the Upper Nile state.

President Salva Kiir stated that a second UN helicopter managed to take off after the initial attack but subsequently crashed, leading to the deaths of all aboard. The UN has yet to verify Kiir’s claim but has indicated that the attack could be considered a war crime. The situation in Upper Nile is particularly tense, exacerbated by ongoing fighting that threatens a fragile peace agreement established in 2018 between President Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar.

The current conflict involves clashes between South Sudan’s armed forces and the White Army, an ethnic militia allied with Machar during the previous civil war. In collaboration with the White Army and South Sudan’s army, UNMISS has been conducting evacuations for wounded personnel affected by the fighting. Nicholas Haysom, head of UNMISS, condemned the attack, stating it was “utterly abhorrent and may constitute a war crime under international law.”

The assault also led to grave concerns over the political landscape as arrests have increased, raising fears of a return to war. Notable figures, including the oil minister and a senior army general, were detained earlier this week. Following these events, President Kiir urged citizens to remain calm, asserting that the government, under his leadership, would manage the crisis appropriately. South Sudan, recognized as the world’s newest nation since its 2011 secession from Sudan, faces ongoing challenges to its stability.

In summary, the recent violent incident involving the UN in South Sudan underscores the escalating tensions in the region and the fragility of the peace agreement. The attack, which resulted in the loss of lives, raises serious concerns regarding the stability of the nation, particularly following the recent apprehension of key political figures. The government maintains its commitment to resolving the crisis and upholding peace in a nation struggling with its complex history and lingering conflict.

Original Source: www.bbc.com