The Embassies of Canada, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States have strongly condemned a reported order issued by SPLM/A-IO Major General John Luk Bayak in northern Jonglei State directing humanitarian organizations to surrender their vehicles.
In a joint statement, the embassies described the order as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian principles, warning that it places humanitarian workers and life-saving operations at serious risk.
They called for the immediate reversal of the order and the return of any vehicles or assets that may have been seized.
The diplomatic missions emphasized that no party or individual in South Sudan has the authority to confiscate assets provided by their governments to humanitarian implementing partners. Such assets,
They said, are strictly intended to support the delivery of life-saving assistance to vulnerable South Sudanese populations.
The embassies urged all parties to the conflict to respect humanitarian space, ensure the safety of aid workers, and allow uninterrupted delivery of assistance to communities in need across the country.
