U.N. Helicopter Attack Reflects Rising Tensions in South Sudan

A United Nations helicopter was attacked in South Sudan while evacuating wounded soldiers, resulting in one crew member’s death and two injuries. The incident highlights escalating political tensions and fears of a new civil conflict following a tenuous power-sharing agreement. President Salva Kiir has urged calm, while critics blame him and his rival for the crisis.

On Friday, a United Nations helicopter was attacked while on an evacuation mission in South Sudan’s volatile Upper Nile State. The assault resulted in the death of one crew member and injuries to two others. The helicopter was engaged in rescuing wounded South Sudanese soldiers amid escalating tensions, yet sadly, the wounded soldiers were also killed during this incident.

The assault comes at a precarious time for South Sudan, where political tensions are rising and fears of a new civil war are growing among both residents and international observers. President Salva Kiir addressed the nation, urging calm and asserting that his government would manage the crisis effectively. He stated, “Let no one take law into their hands; the government which I lead will handle this crisis.”

Critics of President Kiir argue that both he and his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar, must bear substantial responsibility for the ongoing turmoil. A power-sharing agreement forged between Kiir and Machar, which concluded a brutal civil war in 2018, is now at serious risk of unraveling as factions aligned with both leaders clash in Upper Nile State.

The South Sudanese information minister reported that 27 soldiers lost their lives during the helicopter attack, though this figure remains unverified. The ongoing situation raises significant concerns regarding the stability of South Sudan, considered the world’s youngest country.

The attack on the United Nations helicopter underscores the heightened tensions within South Sudan, as the country grapples with the potential collapse of a critical power-sharing agreement. Political leaders face scrutiny for their roles in the escalating crisis, while President Kiir pledges to maintain law and order amidst fears of renewed civil conflict. The circumstances surrounding this incident reflect the fragile nature of peace in South Sudan, emphasizing the need for effective governance and conflict resolution.

Original Source: www.nytimes.com