A UN rescue helicopter took heavy gunfire in South Sudan today, killing a crew member and badly hurting two others. The attack happened near Nasir in Upper Nile State during a mission to help wounded people. Several South Sudan army troops died in the attack, including a high-ranking general they tried to save. The United Nations team flew there because all fighting groups agreed to let them help injured soldiers and ease tensions.
Armed youth fighters and government troops battled recently in this area, forcing many families to run from their homes. Nicholas Haysom, who leads the UN team in South Sudan, called the attack terrible and possibly illegal underworld rules. He felt deep sadness about losing a team member and sent sympathy to the family. Haysom expressed anger because everyone promised safe passage for the rescue helicopter before it flew into the danger zone.
UN officials want someone to find out who shot at their helicopter and make those people answer for what they did. They asked all fighters to stop shooting and urged South Sudan leaders to talk instead of fight. The country faced serious problems right after Nuer youth groups called the White Army pushed government troops out of Nasir town. Government officials believe these youth fighters secretly work with opposition forces led by Riek Machar.
Police already arrested two important opposition figures because of these fights. They locked up the main opposition military boss, Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam, and the oil minister, Puot Kang. Kenya tried helping fix these problems when President William Ruto called both South Sudan leaders yesterday. Ruto told President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar they must talk to each other and stop the fighting before things become worse.
The attack against United Nations workers makes people worry that South Sudan might return to civil war. Peace agreements already seem weak after recent events. The whole East African region wants South Sudan leaders to follow their peace deal instead of fighting again. Many experts believe this helicopter attack could destroy trust between different groups trying to share power in South Sudan.
Armed youth fighters and government troops battled recently in this area, forcing many families to run from their homes. Nicholas Haysom, who leads the UN team in South Sudan, called the attack terrible and possibly illegal underworld rules. He felt deep sadness about losing a team member and sent sympathy to the family. Haysom expressed anger because everyone promised safe passage for the rescue helicopter before it flew into the danger zone.
UN officials want someone to find out who shot at their helicopter and make those people answer for what they did. They asked all fighters to stop shooting and urged South Sudan leaders to talk instead of fight. The country faced serious problems right after Nuer youth groups called the White Army pushed government troops out of Nasir town. Government officials believe these youth fighters secretly work with opposition forces led by Riek Machar.
Police already arrested two important opposition figures because of these fights. They locked up the main opposition military boss, Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam, and the oil minister, Puot Kang. Kenya tried helping fix these problems when President William Ruto called both South Sudan leaders yesterday. Ruto told President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar they must talk to each other and stop the fighting before things become worse.
The attack against United Nations workers makes people worry that South Sudan might return to civil war. Peace agreements already seem weak after recent events. The whole East African region wants South Sudan leaders to follow their peace deal instead of fighting again. Many experts believe this helicopter attack could destroy trust between different groups trying to share power in South Sudan.
