A WFP barge transporting food supplies on the Nile River. |WFP/South Sudan (file)|.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
The United States Embassy in South Sudan accused the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) of raiding a boat carrying World Food Programme (WFP) commodities in New Fangak, stealing food and supplies meant for South Sudanese civilians facing food insecurity.
In a statement extended to this news outlet, the US embassy condemned the continued predation that is directed against those seeking to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to South Sudanese people in need.
“On September 7, South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) personnel raided a boat carrying World Food Programme (WFP) commodities in New Fangak, stealing food and supplies meant for South Sudanese civilians facing food insecurity,” the US embassy said in a statement extended to The Golden Times.
“While the stolen goods were replaced on September 20, this reflects a worsening pattern of looting and rent-seeking directed against assistance activities in South Sudan by armed groups and individuals in positions of authority across the country,” the statement added.
The embassy said it is especially egregious because the individuals involved are entrusted with their country’s security.
It called upon South Sudan’s leaders, at all levels, to prevent such actions and to be a partner to those – including international donors –seeking to help the South Sudanese people.
“We urge the transitional government to create conditions that will end the country’s humanitarian crisis.”
“We are increasingly concerned about the inability of implementing partners delivering humanitarian assistance to reach conflict-affected populations in Upper Nile State, due to humanitarian access denials by transitional government officials in areas which face a possible risk of famine. Urgent humanitarian intervention is required in these areas, and government authorities must facilitate access.”
The US government also called on South Sudan’s leaders to immediately eliminate the unacceptably high costs and risks that threaten delivery of aid, ensure humanitarian access, and start using public revenue to address public needs, which includes supporting humanitarian crisis response efforts and paying salaries to public civilian employees and security services.
SSPDF Spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang has not been reachable via phone for comments during the press time.
