[OPINION] – MSF Withdrawal Is a Wake Up Call

The recent withdrawal of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) from Yei and Morobo counties has deeply affected the communities that depended on their medical care. For many years, MSF stood as a symbol of hope for the sick, the injured and the vulnerable, offering life saving services in some of South Sudan’s most difficult environments.

Their exit, caused by repeated and disturbing abductions of humanitarian staff, is not just about shutting down health services. It represents a painful failure to protect those who come with the sole intention to help.

These abductions are more than criminal acts. They are direct attacks on hope, on survival and on the dignity of people who are already enduring the hardships of displacement, poverty and the lingering effects of conflict. Humanitarian workers are neutral actors. Their mission is to save lives, not to take sides. When they are targeted, it is the civilians they serve, ordinary women, men and children who suffer most.

To the residents of Yei and Morobo, the MSF withdrawal feels like abandonment. These communities have already faced enough from war, hunger, dislocation and now the loss of crucial health services. Their suffering is real. Their frustrations are valid. Their demand for peace and protection must not be ignored.

As a country, we must reflect honestly. What are we achieving if our actions drive away those who come only to help? What future are we building if our land becomes unsafe for those bringing compassion and healing?

Peace must be restored not through promises, but through tangible actions. Armed groups, government officials and community leaders must take shared responsibility to ensure the safety and free movement of humanitarian actors. There must be no tolerance for threats, kidnappings or obstruction of humanitarian work.

South Sudan is a land full of promise. But that promise can only be realised if peace becomes our reality. The people of Morobo and Yei are not interested in politics or division. They want healthcare, education, clean water and dignity. They deserve a country where compassion is not punished, and where those delivering support are welcomed, not driven away by violence.

Let MSF’s painful exit be more than a moment of sadness. Let it serve as a wake-up call to action. Let us take steps now to protect humanitarian operations and to reaffirm our commitment to peace. Only through peace can South Sudan begin to heal and thrive as a nation of hope and opportunity.

As a citizen, I fully support peace, development and the rights of every South Sudanese. I believe in free education to enlighten our youth, rather than letting them fall into the trap of war. I believe in the power of agriculture to feed our nation and drive economic growth. I believe in accessible healthcare for all. I believe that investors should be welcomed and protected, so they can create jobs for our young people and prevent them from turning to insecurity and violence.

Let us choose peace. Let us protect those who serve. Let us build a nation founded on freedom, opportunity and human dignity.

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