NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The number of aid workers tempted in South Sudan has more than doubled this year, according to two humanitarian officials working for the international group.
Aid agencies are concerned about the happiness of their staff and the disruption of life-saving services in areas suffering from one of the most severe humanitarian crises.
Some of the tempted people were released after payment of ransoms, said three people with knowledge of negotiations, but one aid worker was confined and killed earlier this month.
united nations For a long time, South Sudan has designated it as one of the most dangerous places for aid workers. However, analysts say the ransom trickery spike is a new worrying trend.
“The biggest fear is that this could become a national issue,” said Daniel Akech, South Sudan expert at International Crisis Group.
More Aid Workers Invited in 2025
More than 30 South Sudanian aid workers have been invited this year, according to two humanitarian officials. According to both authorities, this is more than twice the number of aid workers accused in all of 2024.
Aiding authorities spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Because they were not authorized to discuss security issues and put access to organizations around the country at risk, fearing retaliation against staff.
Since the 2018 peace contract killed an estimated 400,000 people and ended the civil war that formed a fragile united government, the fight in South Sudan has skyrocketed between the National Army and opposition facts, marking some of the worst violence. Some analysts say the conflict is linked to the struggle against President Salva Kier’s successor, as speculation about his decline in health spikes.
“While some aiding for political reasons, such as forced recruitment (in military conscription of civilians), ransom aid is new,” said Ferenc Marko, an expert in South Sudan.
“Frankly, it’s a worrying new trend that could make humanitarian work impossible,” he said.
Aided workers die captive
James Ungba, a South Sudan aid worker, was lured last month in Exteria, west in Tambula County, and was taken prisoner on September 3rd.
The three said Unguba, who worked for a local aid organization, was accused by a man wearing a national military uniform. The exact circumstances surrounding his death were not immediately clear.
A South Sudanese Army spokesman said the Associated Press had no information about his death and refused to answer questions.
Major aid brings chaos
The donations are hindering life-saving services for hundreds of thousands of people along the southern border of South Sudan with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic, aid agencies say.
In July, a borderless medical charity well known for the French acronym MSF suspended operations in two South Sudan counties after one of its staff was taken to the muzzle while traveling on a clearly marked convoy in Yei county, central Exteria. This came just four days after the invitation of another healthcare worker traveling by MSF ambulance.
“We are deeply committed to providing care to people in need, but we cannot let staff work in an unsafe environment,” Dr. Ferdinand Atte, MSF’s mission director in South Sudan, said in a statement.
Armed groups may be behind the temptation
Aid authorities say the person behind the invitation remains unknown.
But along with the international crisis group, Akech says the economy is filled with armed groups that are rapidly seeking profits. A country that turns war.
In March, Leek Machar, who leads the country’s largest opposition group and is one of the nation’s vice presidents, was placed under house arrest after a local militia that overshadowed an army base near the Ethiopian border.
The National Army then strengthened military operations against his army, linked to other rebel factions, including the National Salvation Front (NAS), a holdout group that never signed the 2018 peace agreement and has since fought the government.
“We don’t know if these adductions are being carried out by the NAS, opposition forces or government soldiers,” said civil society leader Yakani. “From what we know, a single group is not responsible.”
The UN and most aid groups adhere to strict non-payment of ransom policies, but families of victims may use neutral stakeholders, including churches.
Helping workers under pressure
Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump’s administration moved to dismantle the US International Development Agency, which funded more than half of the emergency relief to South Sudan.
European donors are signaling too That they are likely to reduce their contributions too.
Meanwhile, violence targeting aid workers is surged worldwide, according to an independent research group’s humanitarian findings. In a report released in August, the organization said it warned that 2024 was the fatalest year on record, with 383 aid workers killed, 861 people affected by major violence and that 2025 is on track to even surpass that.
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