By Philip Buda Ladu
Escalating violence in Nasir, Ulang, and Baliet counties in Upper Nile State has displaced an estimated 50,000 people since late February 2025, with 10,000 fleeing across the border into Ethiopia, said Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho in a statement extended to this outlet.
She states that the intense fighting has forced the suspension of critical life-saving services and the relocation of 23 humanitarian workers, further exacerbating the suffering of vulnerable communities.
“The violence is putting already vulnerable communities at greater risk and forcing the suspension of life-saving services,” Ms. Gbeho stated. “I urge all actors to allow humanitarians to safely reach those in need, especially women, children, and the elderly.”
The humanitarian coordinator added that the insecurity has also led to the closure of the cholera treatment unit in Nasir, a devastating blow as the region struggles with an ongoing outbreak.
Approximately 840 cholera cases have been reported in Nasir, Ulang, and Baliet during this period, according to OCHA.
The crisis in Upper Nile State is part of a broader trend of escalating violence across South Sudan since January, with incidents reported in Greater Equatoria and Greater Bahr el Ghazal regions, resulting in significant displacement and hardship.
Ms. Gbeho emphasized the challenges faced by the humanitarian community, citing both insecurity and global funding cuts as major obstacles to delivering essential aid.
“The humanitarian community is doing all it can, but insecurity and global funding cuts are impacting our ability to deliver critical assistance,” she said. “The little we have must be protected so that urgent support for people most in need can be provided. Currently 5.4 million people over half of them children require life-saving assistance and protection before the flood season starts.”
The Humanitarian Coordinator reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to working with the Government of South Sudan and its partners to support affected communities and address the root causes of violence and instability.
She further implored all parties involved in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the safe passage of aid to those in desperate need.
On Monday, Minister of Information and government spokesperson, Michael Makuei told journalists in a press conference that the government air forces carried out an air strike in Nasir County of Upper Nile State.
Makuei said the bombardment that happened in Nasir was a security operation aimed at the White army that unleashed terror on the government forces and killed the area army commander along with his colleagues.
He noted that the government has nothing to do with the civilians’ casualties who were caught in between the aerial bombardment advising the civil population to vacate the negative forces areas.
“When the bombardments happened, it happened to the (Negative or White Army Forces) and if you (civilian) happened to be there within the forces, then there is nothing we can do about you but if you are in the town outside the forces nothing will reach you,” Makuei stated.
Nasir County Commissioner, James Gatluak Lew confirmed to the No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper on Monday that Twenty (20) people were killed by the air bombardment and one other remains in critical condition.
Gatluak echoed that the security situation in Nasir and other locations is deteriorating because of the air bombardment.
The commissioner believed the aerial bombardment was in retaliation for the killing of the SSPDF area commander in the area following a fierce gunfire battle between the government forces and the local militia who identified themselves as ‘white army.’
Gatluak appealed to the national government on the need to advocate for dialogue instead of waging war against civilians, especially the Sunday night bombardment that targeted women and children under five.
“Instead of waging war against the civilians or maybe civilians against the government we have to work very hard to also advocate for lasting peace in South Sudan and the only way to get it is through dialogue,” he urged.