A UN helicopter was attacked in South Sudan, killing one crew member and injuring two during an evacuation mission. The incident highlights escalating violence in Nasir, threatening the fragile peace agreement between President Kiir and Vice President Machar. International pressure is mounting to implement peace reforms and prepare for elections scheduled for 2026.
On Friday, a United Nations helicopter on an evacuation mission in South Sudan was attacked, resulting in the death of one crew member and injuring two others. This incident occurred as violence intensified amidst ongoing conflicts that threaten a delicate peace agreement between the leaders of South Sudan. The U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) confirmed that the helicopter was targeted while attempting to evacuate governmental troops from a remote location in the Upper Nile state.
The U.N. reports indicate that the attack happened in the Nasir area, where several soldiers including their commander, Gen. Majur Dak, were killed. President Salva Kiir issued a statement urging the public to remain calm, assuring that the government is committed to managing the crisis and pursuing peace.
The situation in Nasir has escalated in recent days as government forces confronted an armed faction known as the White Army. This group is believed to align with Vice President Riek Machar, further complicating the combat landscape in the region. A recent military garrison attack on March 4 had left Dak and his troops in precarious conditions, trapped in tanks and trenches.
Reports from U.N.-affiliated Radio Miraya suggest that the White Army played a significant role in the helicopter’s assault, which was part of a UNMISS mission to alleviate political tensions and avert violence in Nasir, initiated at the request of the involved parties.
The ongoing fighting has dire implications for a peace agreement reached in 2018 between Machar and Kiir, which sought to conclude a brutal civil war responsible for over 400,000 fatalities. Despite being part of a government of national unity, Machar’s faction remains in opposition to Kiir, creating further discord.
In recent developments, Kiir has taken actions viewed as antagonistic towards Machar’s group. This includes dismissing officials loyal to Machar, who accused the Kiir administration of undermining the 2018 pact with unilateral decisions that threaten its sustainability. Amidst increasing tensions, government troops have recently besieged Machar’s residence in Juba, leading to multiple arrests among his allies.
The UNMISS has urged all parties to avoid further violence and emphasized the necessity for the country’s leaders to collaborate urgently to resolve disputes. Following South Sudan’s independence from Sudan in 2011, there were initial aspirations for stability; however, civil war erupted in December 2013, rooted in ethnic conflict between Kiir’s and Machar’s factions.
International pressure, particularly from the United States, continues to mount on both Kiir and Machar to implement the terms of the 2018 peace deal and prepare for delayed elections, now set for 2026. Key obstacles persist, including the government’s failure to enact promised military unification reforms, further complicating the path to peace.
The attack on the UN helicopter underscores the ongoing volatility and challenges facing South Sudan as it grapples with deep-rooted political rivalries. The violence threatens to unravel the fragile peace established in 2018, demonstrating the urgent need for collaborative efforts among the nation’s leaders to stabilize the situation. With elections postponed to 2026 and international pressures mounting, the implementation of the peace agreement remains critical for achieving lasting stability in the region.
Original Source: torontosun.com
