Tragic Assault on UN Helicopter in South Sudan: An Urgent Call for Accountability

A UN helicopter was attacked while evacuating wounded soldiers in South Sudan, resulting in multiple fatalities among military members and a crew member. The assault has been condemned by UNMISS leadership as a potential war crime. The ongoing violence reflects the instability in Upper Nile State, prompting calls for accountability and urgent political dialogue to protect civilians and uphold peace agreements.

A recent attack on a United Nations helicopter in South Sudan has resulted in multiple fatalities. This UN aircraft was engaged in the evacuation of wounded soldiers when it was assaulted in Nasir, continuing a trend of violence in the region. Tragically, one crew member lost their life and two others sustained injuries during this incident, while reports indicate that over twenty South Sudanese military personnel, including an injured general, were killed.

The helicopter had responded to a request for assistance within the framework of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, established in 2018 to bring an end to the ongoing civil war. The objective was to provide humanitarian aid and to mitigate violence amidst rising political tensions following clashes between government forces and armed youth. The UN noted significant civilian displacement as a consequence of the recent conflicts.

Nicholas Haysom, the Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), condemned the attack as “utterly abhorrent” and potentially a war crime under international law. He expressed profound sorrow over the fatalities of both UN personnel and military evacuees, emphasizing that there had been assurances of safe passage for the operation. Haysom has called for a thorough investigation to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the attack.

Moreover, UNMISS has appealed to all factions to cease further hostilities and recommended that political leaders engage in dialogue to resolve immediate tensions. The organization underlined the importance of adhering to the ceasefire and maintaining the integrity of the Peace Agreement to stave off a further decline in security.

This incident is part of a wider pattern of instability in Upper Nile State, which has been marred by ongoing hostilities for months. The region has suffered from clashes and significant humanitarian challenges. Since the fighting erupted on February 14, the UN has registered numerous casualties among civilians and combatants alike, also reporting that an UNMISS patrol suffered injuries from shelling amidst the unrest.

The attack on the UN helicopter in South Sudan underscores the precarious security situation in the region, marked by ongoing violence and humanitarian crises. With significant losses among military personnel and UN staff, there is an urgent need for accountability and peace negotiations. UNMISS’s call for dialogue among political leaders highlights the necessity of adherence to the Revitalized Peace Agreement to foster stability and protect civilians in South Sudan.

Original Source: news.un.org