The escalating violence in South Sudan has given rise to a disturbing new threat: a surge in kidnappings of aid workers for ransom, a trend that is alarming humanitarian organizations and jeopardizing life-saving operations across the country. According to reports from The Associated Press and corroborated by Devdiscourse and other international agencies, more than 30 South Sudanese aid workers have been abducted since the start of 2025—a figure that more than doubles the total number of kidnappings reported in all of 2024. This sharp increase is sending shockwaves through the humanitarian sector, raising fears that the very future of aid work in South Sudan may be at stake.
For years, South Sudan has been recognized by the United Nations as one of the world's most dangerous places for humanitarian workers. Yet, experts say the recent spike in kidnappings for ransom marks a deeply troubling shift. "The biggest fear is that this could become a countrywide issue," Daniel Akech, a South Sudan expert with the International Crisis Group, told AP. He and others warn that if the trend continues, it could render humanitarian work impossible, especially in volatile states such as Central and Western Equatoria.
The scale of the crisis cannot be overstated. Aid agencies report that the abductions have severely disrupted vital services for hundreds of thousands of people in remote areas along South Sudan’s borders with Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic. In July 2025, Doctors Without Borders—also known by its French acronym, MSF—took the extraordinary step of suspending operations in two South Sudanese counties after two of its staff members were kidnapped at gunpoint within just four days in Central Equatoria state. "While we are deeply committed to providing care to those in need, we cannot keep our staff working in an unsafe environment," said Doctor Ferdinand Atte, MSF’s head of mission in South Sudan, in a statement quoted by AP.
One of the most tragic incidents underscoring the risks aid workers face occurred in August, when James Unguba, a South Sudanese aid worker, was kidnapped in the county of Tambura, Western Equatoria state. According to sources familiar with the incident, including civil rights activist Edmund Yakani, Unguba was abducted by men dressed in national military uniforms. He died in captivity on September 3, 2025. The exact circumstances of Unguba’s death remain unclear, and a spokesman for South Sudan’s military declined to comment when approached by AP.
The motives behind these kidnappings are complex and, in many cases, remain murky. Historically, abductions for political reasons—such as forced recruitment into armed groups—have plagued South Sudan. However, analysts now point to a new and worrying trend: kidnappings for ransom. "Some abductions for political reasons, like forced recruitment, have been done for years, but the abductions for ransom are new," said Ferenc Marko, an expert on South Sudan, in comments reported by AP. "It is frankly a worrisome new trend that could make humanitarian work impossible" in affected regions.
So who is behind these abductions? The answer is far from straightforward. The region is awash with armed groups—some aligned with opposition factions, others with the government, and still others operating independently. Economic decline has only worsened the situation, with groups seeking quick profits through ransom demands. Daniel Akech notes, "We don’t know if these abductions are carried out by NAS, by opposition forces, or by government soldiers." The National Salvation Front (NAS), a rebel group that never signed the 2018 peace deal, is among those suspected, but no single group has been definitively identified as responsible. "From what we know, there is no single group responsible," civil society leader Yakani told AP.
The broader context is one of mounting instability. Fighting between the national army and opposition factions has surged in 2025, marking the worst violence since the fragile 2018 peace deal that ended a devastating civil war and established a unity government. Analysts say some of the recent clashes are linked to a power struggle over President Salva Kiir’s successor, as speculation about his declining health intensifies. In March, Riek Machar—leader of the country’s largest opposition group and one of its vice presidents—was placed under house arrest after a militia with loose ties to him overran an army base near the Ethiopian border. Since then, government forces have ramped up military operations against Machar’s troops and allied rebel groups, including NAS.
The impact of the kidnappings is being felt not just on the ground, but also in the corridors of international aid. While the United Nations and most humanitarian organizations adhere to a strict policy of not paying ransom, families of abducted aid workers sometimes turn to neutral intermediaries—such as churches—to facilitate payments, as several individuals with knowledge of the negotiations told AP on condition of anonymity. This practice, while understandable from a human perspective, further complicates efforts to prevent future kidnappings by creating a potential incentive for armed groups.
The situation is being exacerbated by waning international support. Earlier this year, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump moved to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which had funded over half of South Sudan’s emergency relief. European donors have also indicated that they may reduce their contributions, placing additional strain on an already overburdened aid system. Meanwhile, violence against aid workers has surged globally. According to Humanitarian Outcomes, an independent research group, 2024 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers, with 383 killed and 861 others affected by major violence. The group warns that 2025 is on track to surpass even these grim statistics.
For the people of South Sudan, the stakes could not be higher. The country is in the grip of one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with millions dependent on outside assistance for food, healthcare, and basic survival. The surge in kidnappings is not just a threat to aid workers—it is a direct threat to the lives of those they serve. As international agencies weigh the risks of continuing their operations, the future of humanitarian relief in South Sudan hangs in the balance.
The fate of South Sudan’s most vulnerable now rests on whether the country’s leaders and the international community can find a way to restore security and ensure that those risking their lives to help others can do so without fear of abduction or worse.
