Source: UN News: Thursday, February 12, 2026 00:01 AM
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the surge in violence in South Sudan, warning that civilians and aid workers are paying a terrible price for the targeting of humanitarian aid operations in the country. Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN’s top official, issued a statement on his behalf on Saturday, according to which about 10 million people in South Sudan, more than two-thirds of the country’s population, are in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance. The UN chief expressed deep concern over the fighting, attacks, looting of aid materials and the impact on health centers, saying that civilians are bearing the brunt of the violent conflict. Tweet URL
“These conditions are crippling humanitarian aid operations, disrupting essential services, and putting civilians, including aid workers, at grave risk.” Attacks on Health ServicesAt least 11 health care centers have been reported to have been targeted in Jonglei province alone since late December 2025. 12 vehicles, including an ambulance, have been seized in these attacks. The Secretary General noted that during the last week alone, world food program convoys were repeatedly attacked, a hospital run by an international non-governmental organization (MSF) was hit by an airstrike, the office of Save the Children was set on fire, and its health center was destroyed. He said the blatant disregard for medical and humanitarian aid operations is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately. The violence has forced large-scale displacement of civilians. So far this year, 3.7 lakh people have been made homeless, of which 2.8 lakh are from Jonglei province. There is an outbreak of cholera in some parts. The UN chief has appealed to all parties to immediately stop military action and return to the direction of dialogue. He said that adherence to international law, protection of civilians and accessibility of humanitarian aid routes must be ensured. South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but since then it has been struggling with conflict and instability. In 2013, civil war broke out between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and supporters of former Vice President Riek Machar. After years of ethnic violence, mass atrocities and a humanitarian crisis, a peace agreement was agreed under fragile conditions in 2018. Following this agreement, a transitional government was formed in February 2020, but since then elections have been postponed and clashes have erupted between the government and opposition parties.