JUBA – The Sudan People’s Liberation Army–In Opposition (SPLA-IO) has said it will investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the seizure of humanitarian vehicles in northern Jonglei State, following widespread condemnation from Western embassies in South Sudan.
In a press release on January 8, 2026, the SPLA-IO said the acquisition of three NGO vehicles in Walgak, Akobo County, resulted from a communication error and the use of a falsified document presented by armed individuals.
“The SPLA-IO leadership assures the public that the matter is being addressed as a matter of urgency, and any individuals found culpable will be held fully accountable,” the statement said.
According to the opposition faction, the armed individuals acted on a fake document issued in the name of Sector 3 command, an incident the movement described as regrettable and one that will be rectified expeditiously.
“The SPLA-IO takes the protection of civilians very seriously. This commitment extends to all humanitarian organizations and the courageous NGO personnel operating and working within areas under SPLA-IO control,” it added.
The clarification follows a joint statement by the embassies of Canada, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, which condemned an earlier order attributed to SPLA-IO Major General John Luk Bayak directing humanitarian organizations in northern Jonglei State to surrender their vehicles.
The diplomats warned that the directive violated international humanitarian principles and endangered aid workers, calling for its immediate reversal and the return of any assets already seized.
“This order is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian principles and places assistance workers in harm’s way,” the embassies said.
The incident comes against the backdrop of a worsening security situation in South Sudan. Since February last year, renewed clashes, intercommunal violence and spreading insecurity in Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity states have severely affected humanitarian access, forcing some aid agencies to suspend operations.
South Sudan is widely regarded as the most dangerous country in the world for humanitarian workers, with repeated attacks, looting of aid supplies, threats and killings reported in recent years.
Aid agencies rely heavily on vehicles to reach remote and flood-prone areas, and diplomats warned that confiscating such assets would further limit assistance to millions of vulnerable South Sudanese.