He expressed grave concern about fighting, attacks and looting affecting humanitarian and health facilities, as well as movement restrictions and insecurity along key supply routes.
These conditions, the statement said, are “paralyze humanitarian operations and close essential services, putting civilians, including aid workers, at serious risk”.
Health services attacked
Since late December, at least 11 health facilities have been attacked in Jonglei State alone, disrupting critical services for communities already under severe strain. The attacks have also involved the seizure of 12 vehicles, including an ambulance.
“In the last week alone,” the statement noted, incidents included “repeated attacks on a World Food Program (WFP) convoy, an airstrike on a hospital run by the leading NGO Doctors Without Borders, and the burning of a Save the Children field office and the destruction of its health center.”
The Secretary General said that “This clear disregard for medical and humanitarian operations is unacceptable and must stop.”, stressing that this work “must be facilitated and respected.”
The violence has led to mass displacement and more than 370,000 people have reportedly been forced to leave their homes so far this year, including more than 280,000 in Jonglei state, amid a rapidly worsening cholera outbreak.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, gained independence from Khartoum in 2011 but soon descended into brutal civil conflict marked by political rivalry, ethnic violence and repeated breaches of peace agreements.
An “immediate and decisive” end to the fighting is necessary
Despite the 2018 agreement, insecurity and localized fighting have continued to undermine stability and recovery.
The UN chief called on all parties to “immediately and decisively stop all military operations”, reduce tensions through dialogue, respect international law, protect civilians and ensure safe and sustained humanitarian access, including the safety of humanitarian workers and UN peacekeepers.