A coalition of Western nations condemned an order by a South Sudanese opposition official demanding humanitarian organizations surrender their vehicles, calling the action a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian principles.”
The embassies of Canada, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States said the order was issued by SPLM/A-IO Major General John Luk Bayak in northern Jonglei State.
Gen. John Luk Bayak is the SPLA-IO’s Sector 3 commander.
The joint statement said the directive places assistance workers in harm’s way.
“We call for an immediate reversal of this order and the return of any assets seized,” the joint statement said. “No party or individual in South Sudan has the right to confiscate assets provided by our governments to assistance implementing partners in support of our effort to provide life-saving assistance to South Sudanese in need.”
The order, if carried out, would impede the delivery of critical aid in a region facing severe humanitarian challenges.
SPLM/A-IO officials in Jonglei could not immediately be reached for comment.
The order comes amid escalating violence in northern Jonglei. Since late December, the area has witnessed rising insecurity, clashes between the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO, and the displacement of civilians.
Days before the vehicle order was issued, SPLA-IO forces captured the towns of Waat and Yuai from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).