South Sudan vows peace after deadly UN helicopter attack: Video
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has vowed that his country will not return to war after a UN helicopter was attacked, killing a crew member on a rescue mission.
Speaking at a press conference in Juba, Kiir urged calm and reaffirmed his commitment to peace. “The government that I lead will handle this crisis. We will remain steadfast in the path of peace,” he said.
“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,” Kiir stated.
The attack occurred as a UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) team attempted to evacuate soldiers from clashes in Upper Nile State. The helicopter came under fire, leaving one crew member dead and two others seriously injured. A South Sudanese army general and several officers were also killed, with UNMISS stating the incident could constitute a war crime.
Tensions have risen in recent weeks due to clashes between forces aligned with Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, straining their fragile power-sharing agreement. Kiir’s allies have accused Machar’s forces of inciting unrest in Upper Nile State alongside the White Army, an armed Nuer youth group linked to the vice president’s ethnic community.
South Sudan is the world’s youngest nation; it ended a five-year civil war in 2018 with a peace deal between Kiir and Machar.
