Guterres Denounces Rising Violence in South Sudan Amid Threats to Aid Operations

In a statement by Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq on Saturday, the UN chief reported that nearly 10 million people, over two-thirds of the population, now need life-saving humanitarian aid and continue to suffer from the conflict. He expressed serious concern about the fighting, attacks, and looting affecting humanitarian and health facilities, as well as movement restrictions and insecurity on vital supply routes.

These conditions, the statement noted, are crippling humanitarian operations and shutting down essential services, putting civilians, including aid workers, at great risk.

Since late December, at least 11 healthcare facilities have been attacked in Jonglei State alone, disrupting vital services for communities already under severe pressure. These assaults also involved the seizure of 12 vehicles, including an ambulance.

In the past week alone, incidents have included repeated attacks on a World Food Programme (WFP) convoy, an airstrike on a hospital run by Médecins Sans Frontières, and the burning of a Save the Children field office and the destruction of its health center.

The Secretary-General stated that this clear disregard for medical and humanitarian operations is unacceptable and must end, emphasizing that such work must be facilitated and respected.

The violence has caused mass displacement, with over 370,000 people reportedly forced from their homes this year, including more than 280,000 in Jonglei State, amid a rapidly worsening cholera outbreak.

South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, gained independence from Khartoum in 2011 but soon fell into a brutal civil conflict marked by political rivalry, ethnic violence, and repeated peace deal failures.

Despite a 2018 agreement, insecurity and localized fighting continue to undermine stability and recovery.

The UN chief urged all parties to immediately and decisively halt all military operations, de-escalate tensions through dialogue, uphold international law, protect civilians, and ensure safe, sustained humanitarian access, including the security of aid workers and UN peacekeepers.