South Sudan Violence: 26 Humanitarian Workers Missing, Hundreds Killed
By AFP, Anadolu and Reuters
Published On 2 Mar 2026
Recent violence in South Sudan has led to the deaths of at least 169 people and left 26 humanitarian workers unaccounted for, raising concerns about the escalating instability in the country. The clashes, primarily concentrated in Ruweng Administrative Area and Jonglei state, are impacting civilians and hindering vital aid efforts.
Attack in Ruweng Administrative Area
On Sunday, dozens of armed youths from Mayom County in Unity state attacked Abiemnhom County, resulting in the deaths of 169 people, according to local officials as reported by Anadolu Agency. Among the deceased were the county commissioner and the executive director. Eighty-two of those killed were children, women, and the elderly. Fifty others sustained injuries.
The bodies were laid to rest in a mass grave on Monday, according to Elizabeth Achol, the minister of health in northern Ruweng . Authorities believe the death toll may rise as more bodies are discovered.
The government of the Ruweng Administrative Area has condemned the attack as “barbaric” and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice .
UN Concerns and Civilian Protection
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) expressed alarm over the escalating violence in Abiemnhom, stating that 23 people were injured in the attack . Peacekeepers are currently sheltering over 1,000 civilians within the UNMISS base in the area and providing medical care.
Humanitarian Crisis in Jonglei State
Separately, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that 26 of its staff members are missing following recent violence in Jonglei state . MSF has suspended medical services in Lankien and Pieri, leaving approximately 250,000 people without access to healthcare. Many staff members were forced to evacuate with their families and are now sheltering in remote areas with limited access to essential resources.
An MSF facility in Lankien was hit by a government airstrike on February 3, 2026 .
MSF has also warned that access restrictions are preventing lifesaving medical referrals in Jonglei State, putting critically ill patients at immediate risk and .
Background: Ongoing Instability
South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, gained independence in 2011 but descended into civil war in 2013. Despite a 2018 peace agreement and the formation of a transitional unity government, clashes and political tensions persist. The recent surge in violence highlights concerns about deepening instability, particularly following the arrest of former First Vice President Riek Machar a year ago. The civil war, which lasted five years, is estimated to have killed 400,000 people.