Civil society leaders condemn SSPDF bombing of Fangak hospital

JUBA – Civil society leaders in South Sudan have strongly condemned an aerial bombardment in Fangak County, Jonglei State, that struck a hospital run by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and resulted in civilian casualties.

The attack, allegedly carried out by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), has sparked outrage from human rights and peace organizations who are calling for immediate action to address the escalating violence in the region.

While the exact number of injuries remains unclear, the bombing claimed the lives of at least four civilians, including a child, a woman, and two young men, according to Bol Deng Bol, the Executive Director of INTREPID South Sudan.

The airstrike also severely damaged an MSF medical facility, a crucial healthcare provider for thousands of people in the local population.

The incident is the latest in a series of events that has raised concerns about the safety of civilians amidst the ongoing conflict between the SSPDF and opposition forces.

In a press statement, Bol Deng Bol of INTREPID South Sudan expressed his shock and condemnation.

“We were shocked upon learning about the unfortunate incident that occurred in Fangak County, early this morning, of military aerial bombardments by the South Sudan Peoples Defense Forces (SSPDF),” Bol said.

“This incident resulted in the killing of four, including a child, a woman, and two young men, and an unspecified number of sustained injuries. It also destroyed a health facility ran by the Medicines Sans Frontieres (MSF),” he said.

Bol Deng Bol criticized the continued attacks on civilians and the government’s failure to protect its citizens.

“It is very unfortunate that the SSPDF continues to take civilian lives and destroy properties whenever and wherever they deem fit and with impunity,” he said.

“We strongly condemn this particular incident and call on IGAD and the African Union to take action to restore an atmosphere conducive for amicable settlement of conflicts within the Unity Government,” Bol Deng Bol added.

He also emphasized the need to protect the right to life and health as enshrined in South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution.

Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), also condemned the attack, highlighting the destruction of the MSF facility.

“CEPO is strongly condemned by the bombardment of old Fangak by the SSPDF gunships today and especially where the bombs hit the MSF medical facility in the area,” Yakani said in a statement.

Yakani expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence involving the SSPDF, SPLA-IO, and the White Army, and its impact on civilians.

“SSPDF versus the SPLA-IO and White Army conflict should be handled non-violently,” Yakani urged.

He called on the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) to investigate the recent events and urged regional and international intervention to ensure justice and accountability.

Yakani warned that the escalating violence could lead South Sudan back to full-blown war and further ethnic violence.

“What we are now witnessing is real lawlessness, an act of hijacking unarmed boats of humanitarian and private actors, and continuous bombing of civilian populations. This may motivate ethnic killings,” he warned.

Both Bol and Yakani called for urgent intervention from the African Union, IGAD, and the East African Community (EAC) to prevent further bloodshed.

“It is timely for African Union, IGAD, and EAC to intervene. It is a moment of demonstrating the African Union agenda on silencing the guns,” Yakani concluded.