Security Council Press Statement on Downing of UN South Sudan Mission Helicopter

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Mark Lyall Grant ( United Kingdom):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the downing near Bentiu, Unity State (South Sudan) on 26 August of a United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) MI-8AMT helicopter performing a cargo flight to the area with four Russian crew members, three of whom were killed and one severely injured.

The members of the Security Council extended their heartfelt condolences to the families of the crew members and to the Government of the Russian Federation, 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.

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

The members of the Security 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.

They also requested that UNMISS take additional measures, as appropriate, to ensure the security of its air operations in South Sudan and report thereon to the Council.

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For information media • not an official record