A tragic incident occurred when a United Nations helicopter, attempting to evacuate a South Sudanese general and soldiers from the northern town of Nasir, came under attack, resulting in fatalities. The UN condemned this incident as “utterly abhorrent” and a possible war crime, which could further destabilize the already fragile peace process in the country. This incident involved a power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and first vice-president Riek Machar, which has been recently threatened by clashes between their allied forces in Upper Nile state.
During the evacuation, the UN crew faced heavy clashes in Nasir between national forces and the White Army, a militia linked to Machar, causing concerns about the safety of the general and his men. In a national address, Kiir stated that Machar had guaranteed their safety and urged citizens to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands. It is unclear whether the helicopter was attacked while airborne or on the ground.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, ended a five-year civil war in 2018 with a power-sharing agreement. However, tensions have escalated due to allegations of Machar’s forces and the White Army causing unrest in Nasir county. Machar’s spokesperson declined to comment on the attack and denied involvement in the recent fighting. Regrettably, a UN crew member lost their life in this incident.
The International Crisis Group’s Horn of Africa director, Alan Boswell, warned that South Sudan is rapidly slipping towards full-blown war. He emphasized the importance of the UN preparing peacekeepers to protect civilian lives and expressed concerns about large-scale ethnic massacres if the situation is not contained. The UN urged all actors to refrain from further violence and for the country’s leaders to address the tensions through dialogue and ensure the security situation in Nasir does not deteriorate.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/08/south-sudan-general-among-dozens-killed-in-attack-on-un-helicopter
