CES Governor Mujung Leads Crisis Response to Morobo Hospital Burning

(Juba) – The Government of Central Equatoria State (CES) has strongly condemned a recent attack on Morobo County Hospital and held an emergency meeting in Juba on Monday to address what it described as a worsening security and humanitarian situation in the region.

The attack took place on the night of Friday, 20 June 2025, when armed elements believed to be affiliated with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) stormed the hospital, reportedly locked medical staff inside a room, looted essential medical supplies, and set fire to two ambulances.

The emergency meeting was chaired by Central Equatoria’s Governor, Lt. Gen. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel. Also present were Deputy Governor Paulino Lukudu Obede, the State Ministers of Health, Finance, and Information, the Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, the Commissioner of Morobo County, and other senior officials.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Acting Minister of Information and Communication, Hon. Jacob Aligo Lo-Lado, called the attack “a gross violation of International Humanitarian Law,” citing the protections such laws afford to health facilities and staff during conflict.

“The Government of Central Equatoria State condemns in the strongest terms this barbaric act and heinous crime,” said Hon. Aligo. “Targeting a health facility, looting critical supplies, and destroying ambulances undermines not only public health services but also violates human dignity.”

Hon. Aligo expressed the state’s solidarity with the people of Morobo County and appealed to the SPLA-IO and other holdout armed groups in the area to end hostilities, particularly those that affect civilians and public infrastructure.

He urged these groups to respond positively to the amnesty declared by the presidency in 2017 and to engage in peaceful dialogue instead of violence.

While confirming that the immediate situation in Morobo has calmed somewhat since the attack, Hon. Aligo warned that humanitarian conditions have sharply deteriorated due to the resurgence of violence in the area since April. He stated that more than 23,000 residents have been displaced internally within the county in recent weeks.

He appealed to the National Government, especially the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, to urgently send relief to assist the displaced population.

The Central Equatoria Government pledged to mobilize state resources and work with national and international partners to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those affected. Officials concluded the emergency session by committing to continued engagement and quick response to the crisis.

Morobo County lies along South Sudan’s southern border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda and has often been vulnerable to conflict and instability.