The authorities in Nasser County have urged NGOs to halt movement following an alleged attack by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) on humanitarian workers.

County Commissioner Duon Kun Thian said on Thursday that a group of soldiers believed to be from SSPDF, opened fire indiscriminately towards a boat carrying six Goal International staff between Ulang and Nasser. He said all the staff members escaped unharmed, although the attack has heightened concerns about the security situation in the area.

“We condemn this attack by SSPDF on humanitarian workers,” stated Thian.

“Humanitarians, whether local or international, should be allowed to deliver aid without fear of violence.”

Earlier on the same day, another shooting incident claimed the life of one person near the former Médecins Sans Frontières hospital in Hai Pur.

The SSPDF spokesperson, Maj Gen Lul Ruai Koang, denied the accusations, instead attributing the violence to a communal feud in Ulang and Nasser counties.

Despite conflicting accounts, Thian expressed concerns over the security situation and emphasized the importance of protecting humanitarian workers.  He said authorities were currently working to ascertain the motives behind the attacks and to boost security to safeguard those providing vital services to vulnerable populations.