By Philip Buda Ladu
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital in Old Fangak was bombed in a series of attacks that began in the early hours of Saturday morning, resulting in at least seven deaths and 20 injuries.
The attack follows an order issued on Friday by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) spokesperson threatening “punitive aerial and riverine actions” in Fangak County, Jonglei State.
In a press statement extended to No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper on Saturday, MSF and local authorities said the assault began around 4:30 am when two helicopter gunships bombed the hospital’s pharmacy, destroying it completely.
The gunships then reportedly fired on the town of Old Fangak for approximately 30 minutes. Later, at around 7 am, a drone allegedly bombed the local market.
Mamman Mustapha, MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan, stated that 20 wounded individuals, including four in critical condition, arrived at the hospital following the bombings.
He added that one patient and two caregivers, including an MSF staff member already inside the facility, were also injured.
“The bombing of our hospital in Old Fangak has resulted in significant damage, including the complete destruction of the pharmacy, which was burned to the ground. This is where all our medical supplies for the hospital and our outreach activities were stored, severely compromising our ability to provide care,” Mustapha emphasized.
He strongly condemned the attack, noting that the geolocations of all MSF structures, including the Old Fangak Hospital, had been shared with all parties to the conflict.
Biel Boutros Biel, Commissioner of Fangak County, corroborated the account, stating that two gunships, a drone, and another plane were involved in the attack on the “civilian center” of Old Fangak starting around 4 am.
He reported that over 30,000 people had been displaced and identified the aircraft as belonging to the government of South Sudan.
Commissioner Biel directly linked the bombing to Friday’s statement from the SSPDF spokesperson, saying, “The gunships, we saw a statement yesterday from the spokesperson of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, that they will target Fangak County and other areas, as well as Leer County so indeed, they have implemented it today.”
He further detailed the casualties, reporting the deaths of four civilians, including a nine-month-old child, a woman, and two young men.
He highlighted the destruction of the MSF pharmacy as a devastating blow to the community’s access to medicine, as the hospital is the only one serving a population of over 110,000 in Fangak County. Twenty-five civilians were reported wounded, with some in critical condition.
Commissioner Biel accused the government of South Sudan of “killing its own civilians” based on their Nuer identity and perceived affiliation with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO).
He referenced a recent profiling of counties by a senior government minister, labeling Fangak as “hostile.”
Mr. Biel appealed to the international community to intervene, describing the situation as potentially amounting to “genocide” under the Genocide Convention.
Meanwhile, the SPLA-IO spokesperson, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, also issued a press release on Saturday confirming the 4:00 am airstrike on Old Fangak, stating that four civilians were killed and 25 injured, including three Sudanese traders. He strongly condemned the destruction of the MSF health center.
The SPLA-IO also dismissed the SSPDF’s accusation from the previous day regarding the hijacking of UN and commercial boats in Adok as “baseless.”
Furthermore, the SPLA-IO reported alleged forced conscription by the SSPDF in Sindiru along Juba- Lobonok road and an attack on their barracks in Wangkurbii and Wechtutbuor on April 30th.
They called upon the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the international community to investigate the “act of terrorism” in Old Fangak and the alleged forced conscription.
The bombing of the MSF hospital marks the second time an MSF facility in South Sudan has been impacted in the past month, following the looting of their hospital in Ulang on April 14th.
Since 2014, MSF has been providing secondary healthcare services in Fangak County, a remote area where people struggle to access medical care due to flooding, insecurity, and displacement.
The hospital supported by MSF is the only facility serving a population of over 110,000 people in Fangak County. Many patients travel for days by canoe to reach it, particularly during the rainy season when extreme flooding isolates entire communities.
This latest attack further restricts access to vital healthcare for a vulnerable population already facing significant challenges.
Currently, MSF operates across all 10 states and two of the three administrative areas in the country, providing a range of healthcare services including general healthcare, mental healthcare, and specialist hospital care. Its mobile teams also deliver health assistance to displaced people and other remote communities throughout the country.