The bombing of a humanitarian-supported hospital in Old Fangak, Jonglei State, has drawn sharp condemnation from multiple foreign embassies and international organisations, as calls for accountability and peace in South Sudan intensify.
In a joint statement released on Monday, the embassies of Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the Delegation of the European Union, denounced the attack on the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital and other civilian infrastructure in Fangak County.
“We echo the African Union Commission Chairperson’s call for accountability. All parties share responsibility to end the violence in all parts of the country and to protect both civilians and aid workers. It is time for South Sudan’s leaders to put their people first,” the statement read.
According to MSF, the assault began early, around 4:30 am Saturday when two helicopter gunships dropped bombs on the hospital’s pharmacy, killing at least seven people and injuring 20 others.
Among the injured were patients and carers, including one MSF staff member who was already inside the facility at the time of the bombing.
“At 8 a.m., we received around 20 wounded people at our hospital in Old Fangak, including four in critical condition,” said Mamman Mustapha, MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan. “One patient and two carers, including one of our staff, who were already inside the hospital were injured in the bombing. Patients who were not in critical condition ran from the facility.”
Mustapha described the extent of the damage as catastrophic. “The bombing of our hospital in Old Fangak has resulted in significant damage, including the complete destruction of the pharmacy, which was burnt to the ground,” he said. “This is where all our medical supplies for the hospital and our outreach activities were stored, severely compromising our ability to provide care.”
He emphasised that MSF had previously shared the geolocations of its facilities with all parties involved in the conflict, underlining the protected status of the hospital under international humanitarian law.
“Old Fangak Hospital is the only hospital in Fangak County, serving a population of over 110,000 people who already had extremely limited access to healthcare,” Mustapha added. “We call on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure—this includes health workers, patients, and health facilities. Hospitals must never be targeted.”
Local authorities and RJMEC also condemned the attack and appealed for renewed dialogue. Fangak County Commissioner Biel Boutros Biel expressed his sorrow and frustration during a public address over the weekend.
“This is the country we fought for, a country our fathers died for. We will not accept our cities being destroyed in this way,” Biel said. “I appeal to the government of South Sudan to come back to the negotiation table. If the government continues to kill civilians, the cycle of violence will continue. The spirit of revenge will grow, and the social fabric of our nation will be torn further apart.”
He further warned against the targeting of individuals based on political affiliation or ethnicity, saying, “We ask the government to stop the killing agenda and the targeting of people based on their identity.”
The bombing comes amid renewed concerns over escalating violence in South Sudan, despite repeated peace agreements. The international community is now urging urgent action to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe.
