South Sudan violence harms civilians, MSF says

What's happened

MSF reports show 762,000 people have lost healthcare access since Jan 2025, with 138 air strikes in 2025 and ongoing violence harming civilians and infrastructure; renewed calls for protection from all parties.

What's behind the headline?

Analysis

• The data indicates a sharp rise in violence-related injuries treated by MSF, highlighting a deteriorating humanitarian situation across Jonglei, Upper Nile, Central Equatoria, Lakes, Warrap, and Western Equatoria, plus Abyei and Greater Pibor.
• Civilians are facing airstrikes, forced recruitment, abductions, and widespread SGBV, which undermines civilian protection norms and access to lifesaving care.
• The report underscores the strategic use of violence to disrupt healthcare delivery, aligning with IHL violations as civilians and medical workers become targets. This will keep humanitarian access fragile unless all parties uphold protections.
• The numbers suggest a trend of worsening displacement and healthcare gaps, which could trigger intensified international attention and potential policy responses from donor governments and humanitarian agencies.
• Readers should watch for official government and SPLA-IO responses to MSF's call to protect civilians; accountability mechanisms may gain urgency as evidence accumulates.

How we got here

MSF has documented escalating violence in South Sudan since January 2025, including airstrikes and ground attacks that have disrupted healthcare access across six states and two administrative areas. Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are cited alongside violence against healthcare workers and facilities, prompting international humanitarian concerns.

Our analysis

MSF has detailed the impact of violence in South Sudan and the toll on healthcare access, with quotes from Zakaria Mwatia, head of mission, and patient stories from MSF facilities. Reuters coverage corroborates the figure of 762,000 people losing access to healthcare and notes the broader context of ongoing clashes and U.N. warnings.

Go deeper

• What is the current status of civilian protection commitments from all parties?
• How are aid groups adjusting operations to maintain access amid airstrikes and violence?
• What actions might the UN or authors take to improve protections and accountability?

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