At least seven people have been killed and 20 others injured in an air strike on a hospital in a northern city of South Sudan, according to the international medical aid organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
In a statement released on Saturday (May 3rd), MSF reported that the attack on Old Fangak destroyed a functional hospital and pharmacy, which is a direct violation of international humanitarian law.
In a post on social media platform X, the organization urged, "Stop the bombing, protect civilians and healthcare facilities."
It is unclear who was behind the attack or why the hospital was targeted. There has been no official comment from the country's military.
Old enmities between forces loyal to South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar are resurfacing, particularly in the Fangak region, which is predominantly inhabited by the Nuer community and traditionally known as Machar's stronghold.
Several embassies, including the United States, recently issued a joint statement warning that the political and security situation in South Sudan is deeply deteriorating. They called on President Kiir to release Machar and return to dialogue.
South Sudan gained independence in 2011 but plunged into civil war in 2013. Divisions between the Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups and leadership disputes led to the deaths of more than 40,000 people. Although a peace agreement was reached and a national unity government formed in 2018, the situation is currently becoming unstable again.
General elections were scheduled to be held in the country in 2023 but have already been postponed twice. Elections are not likely before 2026.
(Source: Al Jazeera)
