President Kiir asked South Sudan citizens to stay peaceful after UN helicopters came under attack during rescue missions. The deadly incident happened when United Nations aircraft tried to evacuate army officers from danger zones in Upper Nile state. Armed fighters shot at one helicopter, killing an injured general who waited for rescue. A second aircraft managed to lift off but later crashed, causing everyone aboard to die.
"I appeal to you to remain peaceful," President Kiir told his nation. He promised his government would handle this situation without letting South Sudan fall back into widespread fighting. "Our country will not return to war. Nobody should take the law into their hands," he stated firmly. Kiir sent heartfelt sympathy to families who lost loved ones during these tragic events.
The president explained exactly what happened during Friday's failed rescue attempt. Two United Nations helicopters flew into the Nasir area, hoping to save military personnel. As they loaded General Majur Dak Thel and his officers, attackers opened fire on both aircraft. The general died immediately during this ambush. Just one pilot and a crew member survived from both helicopters.
Kiir mentioned that General Thel had shown bravery earlier. During a previous evacuation on March 6, he insisted eleven other officers leave first before him. The United Nations has strongly condemned these attacks, saying they "may count as war crimes." Recent battles across the Upper Nile region threaten the shaky peace agreement between President Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar.
Their political disagreement back in 2013 sparked five years of brutal civil war. That conflict killed 400,000 people and forced 2.5 million others from their homes across South Sudan. Leaders signed peace papers in 2018, but tensions never truly disappeared between rival groups. Kenya currently hosts peace talks called the "Tumaini Initiative," aimed at stopping new violence.
Fighting continues regardless of these diplomatic efforts, especially in territories controlled by the White Army rebels. These fighters formed an ethnic militia supporting Vice-President Machar since the original conflict began twelve years ago. Despite ongoing violence, Kiir remains determined to prevent another full-scale war from erupting across his troubled nation.
"I appeal to you to remain peaceful," President Kiir told his nation. He promised his government would handle this situation without letting South Sudan fall back into widespread fighting. "Our country will not return to war. Nobody should take the law into their hands," he stated firmly. Kiir sent heartfelt sympathy to families who lost loved ones during these tragic events.
The president explained exactly what happened during Friday's failed rescue attempt. Two United Nations helicopters flew into the Nasir area, hoping to save military personnel. As they loaded General Majur Dak Thel and his officers, attackers opened fire on both aircraft. The general died immediately during this ambush. Just one pilot and a crew member survived from both helicopters.
Kiir mentioned that General Thel had shown bravery earlier. During a previous evacuation on March 6, he insisted eleven other officers leave first before him. The United Nations has strongly condemned these attacks, saying they "may count as war crimes." Recent battles across the Upper Nile region threaten the shaky peace agreement between President Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar.
Their political disagreement back in 2013 sparked five years of brutal civil war. That conflict killed 400,000 people and forced 2.5 million others from their homes across South Sudan. Leaders signed peace papers in 2018, but tensions never truly disappeared between rival groups. Kenya currently hosts peace talks called the "Tumaini Initiative," aimed at stopping new violence.
Fighting continues regardless of these diplomatic efforts, especially in territories controlled by the White Army rebels. These fighters formed an ethnic militia supporting Vice-President Machar since the original conflict began twelve years ago. Despite ongoing violence, Kiir remains determined to prevent another full-scale war from erupting across his troubled nation.
