A United Nations helicopter faced a severe attack during a humanitarian evacuation mission in Nasir, Upper Nile State, leading to the death of one crew member and serious injuries to two others. The incident also resulted in the deaths of several South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) personnel, including an injured general who was being rescued. The helicopter, part of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), was deployed to evacuate individuals at the request of all involved parties to reduce tensions after recent skirmishes between the SSPDF and armed youth. This ongoing conflict has caused numerous casualties and displaced many civilians from their homes.
Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, strongly criticized the attack, labeling it as deplorable and suggesting it might constitute a war crime under international law. He conveyed profound sadness for the lives lost and pressed for an investigation to identify and punish those responsible. Haysom also emphasized the need for all parties to stop further violence and encouraged South Sudan’s leaders to pursue dialogue to prevent the situation from worsening.
The assault on the helicopter occurs during a period of escalating political and military unrest in South Sudan. In Nasir, the situation has grown especially unstable due to confrontations between the SSPDF and the White Army, a group of Nuer youth fighters who recently seized control of government positions. Claims have surfaced that the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) is secretly supporting the White Army. In response, the South Sudanese government has detained SPLA-IO’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, and the Minister of Petroleum, Puot Kang, linking them to the unrest.
Diplomatic Efforts
As the crisis intensifies, Kenyan President William Ruto has taken steps to mediate, holding discussions with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Ruto encouraged both leaders to commit to dialogue to ease tensions and avert additional violence, highlighting the importance of regional initiatives to stabilize South Sudan under the IGAD framework. The attack on the UNMISS helicopter is likely to place further pressure on South Sudan’s delicate peace process, raising doubts about the dedication of various groups to the Revitalized Peace Agreement.