The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has condemned the May 3 bombing of an MSF hospital in Old Fangak as a possible war crime and breach of international humanitarian law.
The airstrike killed at least seven civilians, injured many,
destroyed vital medical infrastructure, and was followed by further bombings in
New Fangak on May 5.
“This was
not a tragic accident. It was a calculated, unlawful attack on a protected
medical facility. The aerial bombing of the MSF hospital in Old Fangak is a
flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and could amount to a war
crime,” said Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission.
“Targeting
medical facilities and services violates the Geneva Conventions and represents
a direct assault on foundations of humanitarian action that are intended to
protect civilians in conflict zones. Those responsible must be identified,
investigated, and held accountable without delay”, she stated.
The attack came a day after the SSPDF warned of air and
river strikes if hijacked vessels in Leer County were not released, following a
government statement labeling Nuer-majority areas like Fangak as
"hostile."
The attack followed a statement issued on May 2, 2025, by
SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai, warning of air and river strikes if
hijacked vessels in Leer County were not released.
The warning came shortly after the government, through its
high-level committee on the 2018 peace agreement, categorized Nuer-majority
counties as ‘hostile’ or ‘friendly,’ naming Fangak, home to tens of thousands
of Nuer civilians as one of nine ‘hostile’ areas.
“This
strike does not seem to be an isolated incident, it occurred in the context of escalating ethnic
profiling, unlawful detentions, and a hardening of positions within the
political and military elite,” said Commissioner Barney Afako.
“Designating
the entire community of Fangak as hostile is deeply irresponsible and may
amount to incitement of reprisals and collective punishment. This practice must
end, and such designations must be rescinded immediately.”
The MSF
hospital was the only major medical facility serving more than 40,000 people in
the Old Fangak area. MSF confirmed the complete destruction of the hospital and
medical supplies in the attack, which has deprived an already vulnerable
population, displaced
and traumatized by conflict of emergency care, maternal health services.
Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernandez said targeting
medical facilities is both unlawful and inhumane.
“Hospitals
must be protected spaces, not battlegrounds. What happened in Old Fangak is
symptomatic of a growing impunity and disregard for human life that must be
urgently addressed,” Fernandez stated.
The commission warned that the rising political tensions and
violence in South Sudan threaten the peace process and risk derailing the
Revitalized Peace Agreement. It called on the visiting AU and IGAD delegations
to push for civilian protection, accountability, and a return to dialogue.
The rights body also cautioned that continued ceasefire
violations are pushing the country toward another national conflict.