The humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders on Tuesday accused the various forces involved in the conflict in South Sudan of using humanitarian aid for political and military purposes, while denouncing increasing blockages preventing access to civilian populations.
In a statement, MSF asserts that the South Sudanese government is obstructing the delivery of aid to certain areas controlled by the opposition. The organization describes this as a "worrying trend" that is seriously jeopardizing access to healthcare and humanitarian assistance in several regions of the country.
According to the NGO, all parties to the conflict are now exploiting humanitarian aid as a strategic tool. This instrumentalization is significantly complicating the work of organizations on the ground and worsening the situation of civilians trapped by the fighting.
MSF estimates that nearly 762,000 people have lost access to healthcare as a result of attacks, population displacements and restrictions imposed in violence-affected areas.
The country has experienced a new surge in political and security tensions since the recent arrest of the vice-president, an event that has revived fears of a return to civil war in this young state already weakened by years of conflict.
Ongoing clashes and insecurity are also complicating the work of humanitarians, who face increasing risks for their teams and aid convoys. Several regions remain difficult to access due to fighting and restrictions imposed by armed groups.
South Sudan, independent since 2011, remains one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world. Humanitarian organizations regularly warn of the consequences of the conflict for civilian populations, who face hunger, forced displacement, and the collapse of health services.
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