Following the attack on a UN helicopter in South Sudan, President Salva Kiir has urged calm and reaffirmed that the country will not return to war. The incident threatens the existing fragile peace agreement with Vice President Riek Machar amid increasing violence. UN and diplomatic officials have condemned the attack, highlighting the urgency for dialogue to prevent further conflict.
In light of a recent attack on a UN helicopter resulting in the death of a crew member in South Sudan, President Salva Kiir has made a plea for peace, promising that the country will not revert to conflict. This incident threatens the stability of the fragile power-sharing agreement between Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, which has already been under strain from armed clashes in Upper Nile State.
On the day of the attack, the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) was carrying out a rescue mission when their helicopter came under fire, resulting in the death of one crew member and serious injuries to two others. Furthermore, the UN reported the death of a South Sudanese army general during the mission, indicating the severity of the situation and alluding to the incident potentially constituting a war crime.
President Kiir urged for public calm, asserting, “I have said it time and again that our country will not go back to war. Let no one take the law into their hands.” He emphasized the government’s commitment to manage the current crisis and maintain peace. Meanwhile, Vice President Machar’s office condemned the helicopter attack, labeling it a “barbaric act” and pledged that restoring peace remains a priority.
UNMISS’s head, Nicholas Haysom, described the attack on personnel as “utterly abhorrent” and called for investigations to identify and prosecute those responsible. Following a recent incident where rebels overran a government garrison, reports emerged that the government has arrested several officials aligned with Machar in response, potentially escalating tensions.
Diplomatic warnings have surfaced regarding the risk of renewed civil conflict as regional and Western diplomats emphasized the necessity of dialogue and peace commitments. Some blame President Kiir’s recent political maneuvers for aggravating the situation, claiming they aim to strengthen his control and undermine Machar’s influence.
The International Crisis Group has expressed grave concerns, suggesting that South Sudan is perilously close to war, with its director Alan Boswell warning of potential ethnic violence. Concurrently, embassies from various nations issued a joint statement denouncing the helicopter attack and calling for high-level dialogue to avert further escalation and loss of life.
In summary, President Salva Kiir has called for calm after a UN helicopter attack that claimed a crew member’s life, which has exacerbated tensions stemming from a precarious power-sharing agreement with Vice President Riek Machar. The escalating violence, condemned by UN officials and diplomatic entities, underscores the urgent need for dialogue and adherence to peace commitments. The situation remains precarious, with fears of heightened conflict if it is not addressed promptly.
Original Source: punchng.com
