One year after the deliberate bombing of MSF’s Old Fangak hospital in Jonglei State, South Sudan, the medical humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is calling for accountability and an end to attacks on healthcare facilities.
The attack, which occurred on May 3, 2025, resulted in at least seven deaths and 27 injuries, including four MSF staff and two patients, while 18 patients were receiving care during the assault. Despite the clear marking of the hospital with MSF flags and shared GPS coordinates with authorities, government forces carried out the aerial strikes, including a missile on the pharmacy and a drone bombing of the local market. This incident followed a string of 26 health facilities in Jonglei being damaged or looted since late 2025, as well as the seizure of humanitarian compounds and vehicles.
The attack on the Old Fangak hospital occurred against a backdrop of increasing tensions between government forces and opposition groups since April 2025.
The conflict has led to large — scale displacement, with many seeking refuge in areas such as Paguir and Toch, as the government forces controlled New Fangak, while the rest of Fangak County remained in the hands of opposition groups. Following the Old Fangak bombing, MSF relocated its operations to Paguir and Toch, providing care under extremely challenging conditions.
The Old Fangak Hospital, however, is no longer operational. Despite continuous engagement with authorities seeking clarity on the incident and prevention of future attacks, no explanations have been provided, and attacks on healthcare have continued unchecked. Since the start of 2025, MSF has faced 12 attacks, including the looting of Ulang hospital and the bombing of MSF’s hospital in Lankien, as well as the looting of Pieri primary healthcare centre and the Akobo facility.
These attacks have left hundreds of thousands without access to care, with a significant operational and financial impact on MSF.
In contrast, the South Sudanese government has entered into a “Host Country Agreement “with MSF, acknowledging the organization’s presence in the country over 40 years. This, MSF suggests, underscores the government’s ambiguous stance towards the organization and its humanitarian efforts. MSF is now calling on South Sudanese authorities to provide immediate and transparent explanations for the bombing of Old Fangak hospital, ensure accountability, and take concrete measures to protect medical facilities, staff, and patients.
The organization also remains committed to engaging with all parties to prevent further attacks and safeguard humanitarian access.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: Médecins Sans Frontières
