South Sudan: Security Council strongly condemns downing of UN helicopter

The Security Council has strongly condemned the downing yesterday of a United Nations helicopter in South Sudan which resulted in the death of three Russian crew members and left a fourth severely injured, and called for a thorough investigation.

The MI-8 helicopter contracted by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) was performing a cargo flight from Wau in Western Bahr El Ghazal state to Bentiu in Unity state when it crashed.

The members of the Security Council extended their heartfelt condolences to the families of the crew members and to the Government of Russia, and offered wishes for a full recovery to the injured crew member.

“They stressed that this attack constituted a grave violation of the Status of Forces Agreement of 8 August 2011 and jeopardized the UNMISS operations,” said a press statement issued by the 15-member body.

“They strongly urged UNMISS and the Government of South Sudan to conduct a swift, thorough and transparent investigation of this attack.”

Further, the Council strongly emphasized that those responsible for the attack must be held accountable and all necessary measures to avoid such attacks in the future must be taken.