UN Mission in South Sudan killed, injured

Moatinoon - Follow-ups
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said that a UN helicopter carrying out an evacuation in the Nasir area, Upper Nile State, came under fire on Friday, killing one crew member and seriously wounding two others.

In a statement issued on Friday, the mission reported that several members of the South Sudan Defense Forces, including an injured general, were killed while the mission was trying to evacuate them from the area, which was carried out at the request of all parties.

It explained that the evacuation was part of UNMISSs efforts to help prevent violence in the Nasir area and calm political tensions, following recent clashes between the South Sudan Defense Forces and armed youth that caused a large number of casualties and displaced civilians.

The head of the mission, Nicholas Haysom, said: "The attack on UNMISS personnel is absolutely abhorrent and may constitute a war crime under international law. We deeply regret the tragic loss of our colleague and express our deepest condolences to his loved ones."

He also expressed regret over the deaths of those the mission was trying to evacuate, especially after receiving assurances of safe passage.

“UNMISS urges an investigation to identify those responsible and hold them accountable,” he added.

The mission called on all actors to refrain from further violence, and urged the country’s leaders to urgently intervene to resolve tensions through dialogue and ensure that the security situation in Nasir, and more broadly, does not deteriorate.

It added that it is crucial for the parties to uphold their commitment to maintaining the ceasefire and protecting the integrity of the peace agreement.