By Kei Emmanuel Duku
United Nations Security Council has voiced strong condemnation of the recent attacks in Nasir County, which resulted in the downing of two UN helicopter crew members during an evacuation mission.
UN helicopter was reportedly fired upon by the White Army, a militia group alleged to be linked to First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, who has repeatedly denied such affiliations.
The attacks led to the death of a UN crew member, injuries to two soldiers, and the death of an SSPDF commander.
In a press statement, UN Security Council President, Christina Markus Lassen, called for a swift and thorough investigation.
“Those found responsible for the attacks must be held accountable by the government,” the Council stated.
The Security Council emphasized that the March 7, 2025, attack on UN peacekeepers in South Sudan is unacceptable and may constitute war crimes under international humanitarian law.
Between February and March, government forces embroiled in confrontation with armed groups linked to the First Vice President were reported in Western Equatoria, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Upper Nile states.
However, the clashes in Ulang and Nasir in Upper Nile escalated in early March when suspected White Army fighters overran an SSPDF garrison, seizing ammunition and military equipment.
The Security Council urged all parties to the Revitalized Peace Agreement to refrain from further violence and engage in constructive national dialogue to restore and maintain peace.
The Council underscored that dialogue and negotiation are the only viable means to resolve differences and de-escalate the conflict in Upper Nile and other states.
Despite the attacks, the Council reiterated its commitment to UNMISS, pledging to provide the necessary resources for the mission to fulfill its mandate in supporting the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity without interference or obstruction.
The Council affirmed that UNMISS operates in accordance with the Status of Forces Agreement, which aims to ensure the safety and security of UN peacekeepers, as outlined in Security Council Resolution 2729, amended in 2024.
The Security Council members expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the UN personnel killed and to UNMISS, as well as to the families of the deceased South Sudanese.