JUBA – A hospital in Morobo County in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State was raided by alleged members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), who also burnt down two ambulances, the commissioner said.
Charles Data Bullen said Saturday that the group raided the health facility on Friday night, resulting in the destruction of two ambulances and the theft of medical equipment and recently-supplied drugs.
“The attack occurred at 10:30 pm and involved 30 minutes of gunfire,” he said in a statement seen by Sudans Post. “The attackers, who came in large numbers, also confiscated personal property, including laptops and phones, from hospital staff,” Data added.
The commissioner reported that no injuries were sustained, describing the action as a stumbling block to national development and progress.
“Fortunately, no patients were injured during the attack. However, Commissioner Hon. Charles Data Bullen strongly condemned the act, describing it as a major tragedy and obstacle to the county’s development,” read a statement from Morobo County Press Unit.
The county authorities have appealed for security support from the state and national governments to intervene and beef up security to guarantee the safety of patients, staff, and county residents.
“Commissioner Data has called for immediate security measures to restore stability and is convening an emergency meeting with security forces to discuss ways to counter the ongoing panic in the county,” stated the press unit.
Morobo County remains a hotspot for rebel groups. The most prominent group is the National Salvation Front (NAS), led by General Thomas Cirillo Swaka, which has been involved in clashes with government forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO).
The NAS, a non-signatory to the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCISS), has been active in the Equatoria region, including Morobo County, causing insecurity and displacement. For instance, in March 2025, local authorities reported that at least 150 people were displaced in Lujule Payam due to actions by an armed group suspected to be NAS.
Additionally, the SPLM-IO, led by Riek Machar, has also been active in Morobo County. In April 2025, clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and SPLA-IO in Morobo and Yei counties displaced an estimated 1,185 households (7,110 people) in areas like Panyume, Kendila, Girili, and Waima. Earlier, in 2017, SPLA-IO claimed to have captured areas like Bazi and Kimba in Morobo County.
