A United Nations helicopter was attacked in South Sudan while attempting to rescue soldiers on Friday. One crew member was killed, and two others were seriously injured. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) described the attack as a potential war crime.
Fragile Peace Agreement at Risk
The attack occurred amid rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Their power-sharing agreement, signed in 2018 to end a five-year civil war, is under threat due to ongoing clashes in Upper Nile State.
According to UNMISS, its team was evacuating South Sudanese army personnel when the helicopter came under fire. A South Sudanese general and other officers were also killed in the failed mission.
UN Condemns the Attack
Nicholas Haysom, head of UNMISS, condemned the attack, stating:
“The attack on UNMISS personnel is utterly abhorrent and may constitute a war crime under international law.”
Haysom also expressed sorrow over the deaths of those the UN was attempting to rescue.
Rising Political Tensions
The conflict in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, has escalated, with Kiir’s allies accusing Machar’s forces of inciting unrest. The government claims Machar’s forces are working with the White Army, an armed group from Machar’s ethnic Nuer community.
This week, a government garrison was overrun by rebels, prompting mass arrests of Machar’s allies in Juba. High-profile figures, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam, were detained.
Global Concern Over the Crisis
Regional and Western diplomats have warned that these events threaten the 2018 peace agreement, which ended a civil war that claimed 400,000 lives. A joint statement from embassies, including the US, UK, and EU, urged South Sudanese leaders to prioritize peace.
UNMISS has also called on both parties to uphold the ceasefire and preserve the integrity of the peace deal.
What’s Next?
With tensions escalating and political arrests increasing, concerns grow over South Sudan’s stability. Diplomatic efforts are needed to prevent further violence and ensure the peace agreement holds.
