By Bunmi Yekini
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) accused the South Sudanese government of blocking humanitarian access to parts of opposition-held Jonglei state, a move the medical charity said was putting hundreds of thousands of civilians at risk and leaving critically ill patients without lifesaving care.
MSF said restrictions imposed since December 2025 in Lankien, Pieri and Akobo had led to the suspension of all humanitarian flights, severely limiting the delivery of medical supplies and the movement of health workers. The organisation warned that children, pregnant women and people with chronic or life-threatening conditions were among those most affected.
As of Jan. 29, at least 23 critically ill patients in Lankien and Pieri urgently needed referrals, MSF said, adding that their lives were in immediate danger.
“Patients will die if the government continues to block humanitarian and medical access in Jonglei,” said Abdalla Hussein, MSF’s desk manager for South Sudan. He described the restrictions as a “crude political manoeuvre” that ultimately harmed civilians.
MSF said it had been forced to evacuate staff from Lankien and Akobo and scale back services in those locations, as well as in Pieri, to emergency and lifesaving care only. On Jan. 29, its team in Pieri also fled amid fears of imminent armed conflict.
“We had to discharge most of our patients, grab emergency kits and flee the town along with the local community,” MSF said.
The organisation is the only health provider for around 250,000 people in Lankien and Pieri and another 112,000 in Akobo, it said, warning that nearly 400,000 people could be left without healthcare if access is not restored.
“Ongoing conflict and displacement in Jonglei are further increasing the vulnerability of civilians, creating new and urgent humanitarian needs on top of already limited healthcare services,” said Gul Badshah, MSF’s operations manager for South Sudan. He urged all armed groups and political actors to protect civilians, medical staff and health facilities.
MSF also condemned what it described as public statements by authority figures suggesting mass violence and forced displacement of civilians, calling on the government to urgently reassure the protection of civilians.
South Sudan has been grappling with overlapping crises, including conflict, displacement and food insecurity, and the humanitarian response is failing to keep pace with rising needs, MSF said. The organisation warned that if it is unable to resupply facilities during the dry season, when roads are still passable, the consequences could be “catastrophic”.
MSF has operated in South Sudan since 1983 and is one of the largest medical humanitarian agencies in the country. In 2025, it provided more than 830,000 outpatient consultations, treated over 93,000 inpatients, carried out about 12,000 surgeries and screened more than 107,000 children for malnutrition.
“Sustained and predictable humanitarian access is essential to maintain lifesaving services and prevent further deterioration of health outcomes for communities in Jonglei,” MSF said.