Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The United States, the European Union and other Western allies on Thursday condemned reports of a civilian massacre in South Sudan’s Jonglei state, warning that the country’s fragile peace process is under “extreme pressure.”
In a joint statement, the Delegation of the European Union and the embassies of Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States said they were “appalled” by the Feb. 21 killing of civilians in Pankor, a village in Ayod County.
The diplomats cited reports that the attack was “perpetrated by forces linked to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces,” the nation’s military.
“We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to inclusive and meaningful dialogue between all parties to the ongoing conflict,” the missions said.
Separately, Inger Elisabeth Meyer, deputy head of mission at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, told a ceasefire monitoring board in Juba Thursday that government-linked forces reportedly opened fire on civilians gathered for food assistance.
Speaking on behalf of the United Kingdom and Norway, Meyer cited a “sharp rise” in attacks on aid workers and civilians since the start of 2026, including the bombing of a hospital run by Médecins Sans Frontières, despite authorities having its coordinates.
She warned the violence reflects a growing pattern of atrocities, including the recruitment of children into armed groups and sexual violence.
Pelle Enarsson, head of the EU delegation to South Sudan, described the Ayod County killings as a “brutal act” that may amount to a war crime. Enarsson also condemned a recent airstrike on Lankien Hospital and urged the government to invite international observers to investigate.
The deteriorating situation was confirmed by Teshome Anagawe Ayana, chairperson of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM). Ayana said the nation’s ceasefire is under “great threat” as fighting spreads across Upper Nile, Jonglei, Unity and parts of the Equatorias.
The monitoring body recorded 407 alleged violations between August 2025 and January 2026, including near-daily clashes between the military and SPLM/A-IO forces. More than 8,000 people have been displaced from Ayod and Nyirol counties due to the surge in violence.
Ayana noted that the implementation of key security arrangements remains limited. He reported that instead of establishing an independent “Necessary Unified Force,” previously trained personnel are being absorbed into existing army units, maintaining parallel command structures that undermine the peace deal.
“The peace process is under extreme pressure,” Ayana said, urging all signatories to de-escalate and return to dialogue.
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