9 February 2026 16:42 UTC · UN Secretary-General · UN SG Press Release · Source · Email X Link

UN Secretary-General says violence in South Sudan must stop

Key points

Calls for immediate halt to military operations and safe humanitarian access
Reports attacks on humanitarian and health facilities and widespread displacement

TL;DR

Nearly 10 million people in South Sudan need life‑saving humanitarian assistance.
Attacks include at least 11 healthcare facilities in Jonglei State, seizure of 12 vehicles, repeated attacks on a WFP convoy, an airstrike on an MSF hospital, and burning of a Save the Children field office.
More than 370,000 people displaced this year (over 280,000 in Jonglei) amid a rapidly worsening cholera outbreak; calls for halt to operations and protection of civilians, aid workers, and UN peacekeepers.

Original text

Secretary-General Statements and Messages The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres: The Secretary-General strongly condemns the escalating violence in South Sudan, where nearly 10 million people — more than two thirds of the population — need life-saving humanitarian assistance and continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. Fighting, attacks and looting of humanitarian and health facilities — alongside movement restrictions and insecurity on key supply routes — are crippling humanitarian operations and shutting down essential services, placing civilians, including aid workers, at serious risk. Since late December, at least 11 healthcare facilities have been attacked across Jonglei State, disrupting life-saving services. The attacks have also included the seizure of 12 vehicles, including an ambulance. In the past week alone, incidents across the country have included repeated attacks on a World Food Programme convoy, an airstrike on a hospital run by Médecins Sans Frontières, and the burning of a Save the Children field office and destruction of its health centre. This clear disregard for medical and humanitarian operations is unacceptable and must stop. Such work must be facilitated and respected. More than 370,000 people have reportedly been displaced by fighting across the country this year alone, including over 280,000 people in Jonglei State, amid a rapidly worsening cholera outbreak. The Secretary-General calls on all parties to immediately and decisively halt all military operations, de-escalate tensions through dialogue, uphold international law, protect civilians, and ensure safe and sustained humanitarian access and the security of aid workers and United Nations peacekeeping personnel and their assets.

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António Guterres

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