Destruction in Upper Nile state following escalation of fighting. Guterres condemned the escalation of violence in South Sudan Peace and security
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the increase in violence across South Sudan, which is affecting civilians. The UN chief noted that almost 10 million people – more than two-thirds of the population – are currently in need of humanitarian assistance.
He expressed concern about fighting, attacks and looting affecting humanitarian and medical facilities, as well as restrictions on movement and insecurity along key supply routes.
As the UN chief said in a statement, these conditions “paralyze humanitarian operations and lead to the closure of essential services.”
Attacks on medical facilities
Since the end of December, at least 11 medical facilities have been attacked in Jonglei state alone. Twelve vehicles, including an ambulance, were also seized during the attacks.
In the past week alone, the statement noted, incidents included “attacks on a World Food Program (WFP) convoy, an airstrike on a hospital run by the leading NGO Doctors Without Borders, and an arson attack on a field office organization Save the Children and the destruction of its medical center.”
“This blatant disrespect for medical and humanitarian operations is unacceptable and must stop. Such activities must be supported and respected,” said the Secretary General.
Massive population displacement
Violence in South Sudan has led to massive population displacement: more than 370,000 reported since the start of the year people were forced to flee their homes, including over 280 thousand in Jonglei state.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest state, gained independence from Khartoum in 2011 but soon plunged into a brutal civil conflict marked by political rivalry, ethnic violence and repeated breakdowns of peace agreements.