The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has condemned a recent airstrike on a hospital operated by the medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Old Fangak, describing the attack as intentional and potentially a war crime.
The strike, which occurred on May 3 in Fangak County, destroyed the only functioning hospital and pharmacy in the northern town, killing at least seven people and injuring 20 others. According to MSF, the initial bombing that struck the pharmacy was followed by a second drone attack on the town.
“This was not a tragic accident. It was a calculated, unlawful attack on a protected medical facility,” said Yasmin Sooka, chairperson of the UN commission. She emphasized that targeting such facilities is a serious breach of international humanitarian law and could constitute a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.
No group has claimed responsibility for the assault, which took place amid ongoing hostilities in the region involving government forces and an ethnic militia allegedly aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar.
The South Sudanese government has yet to comment, with Information Minister Michael Makuei not responding to media inquiries.
Although a 2018 peace agreement officially ended South Sudan’s five-year civil war, recent political tensions—including the house arrest of Machar in March over accusations of plotting a rebellion—have raised fears of renewed conflict.