A United Nations helicopter attempting to evacuate South Sudanese troops came under fire in the northern town of Nasir on Friday, resulting in the deaths of a crew member and several soldiers, including a general. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) confirmed the attack, calling it a potential war crime.

The helicopter was attempting to airlift soldiers following heavy clashes in Nasir between national forces and the White Army militia. The South Sudanese government has linked the militia to forces loyal to First Vice President Riek Machar, who has been in a long-standing power struggle with President Salva Kiir.

UNMISS Chief Nicholas Haysom condemned the attack, emphasising that it violated assurances of safe passage. “The attack… is utterly abhorrent and may constitute a war crime under international law,” he said, urging a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable.

“We also regret the killing of those that we were attempting to extract, particularly when assurances of safe passage had been received. UNMISS urges an investigation to determine those responsible and hold them accountable,” Haysom added.

Calls to Information Minister Michael Makuei for comments went unanswered, but President Kiir’s office announced that he would address the nation later in the day.

The White Army, largely composed of Nuer fighters, previously aligned with Machar’s forces during South Sudan’s 2013-2018 civil war against Kiir’s predominantly Dinka-led troops. The attack comes amid rising tensions, with Machar’s spokesperson revealing that several of his allies, including senior military officials and the petroleum and peacebuilding ministers, had been arrested by security forces this week.

While the government has yet to comment on the detentions, Machar’s party has denied involvement in the Nasir clashes. The latest violence raises concerns about the fragility of South Sudan’s peace process, which has faced repeated setbacks since the signing of a unity deal in 2018.

Melissa Enoch

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