UN Officials and Soldiers Lose Lives During South Sudan Evacuation
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Synopsis
On March 7, a UN helicopter was attacked in Nasir County, South Sudan, resulting in the deaths of a UN personnel and several government soldiers. The evacuation mission aimed to rescue besieged SSPDF soldiers amidst escalating violence in the region.
Key Takeaways
- One UN personnel and multiple soldiers killed.
- Helicopter attacked during evacuation mission.
- UNMISS calls for investigation and accountability.
- Political tensions escalating in Nasir County.
- Importance of ceasefire and peace agreement emphasized.
Juba, March 7 (NationPress) On Friday, at least one United Nations (UN) official and multiple government soldiers were killed when a UN helicopter was subjected to intense gunfire in Nasir County, located in Upper Nile State, South Sudan, according to reports from the UN mission.
In a statement released from Juba, the capital of South Sudan, the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) explained that the helicopter was on an evacuation mission aimed at rescuing South Sudan People's Defence Force (SSPDF) soldiers who had been surrounded for four days by the White Army armed group, which has been in conflict with the SSPDF since the previous week.
According to UNMISS, the attack resulted in the death of one crew member and left two others critically injured. "Additionally, several SSPDF members, including an injured general, lost their lives during the UNMISS extraction attempt, which was initiated at the request of all involved parties," the mission reported.
The evacuation was part of UNMISS's broader mission to mitigate further violence in Nasir and to alleviate political tensions following recent confrontations between the SSPDF and armed youth, which have led to substantial casualties and displacement of civilians.
Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNMISS, expressed sorrow over the fatalities, especially since assurances of safe passage had been received, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
UNMISS has called for a thorough investigation to identify and bring to justice those responsible for the attack. It has also urged all parties to refrain from further violence and implored the nation's leaders to take prompt measures to resolve tensions through dialogue and avert further security deterioration in Nasir and surrounding areas.
"It is crucial for all parties to uphold their commitment to the ceasefire and maintain the integrity of the Revitalized Peace Agreement," the mission stated.
Violence erupted in Nasir on March 3, involving clashes between the SSPDF and the local Nuer White Army, which forced the SSPDF to retreat from the town. This unrest also led to the detention of several senior army officials in the capital who were aligned with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition, headed by First Vice President Riek Machar.
