Juba: Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has suspended its operations in two South Sudanese counties for at least six weeks following the abduction of a second staff member within a week. This decision comes as a response to increasing threats to the safety of humanitarian workers in the region.

According to Anadolu Agency, the latest abduction happened just four days after a Health Ministry staffer was taken from an MSF ambulance on the same road. Although the Health Ministry staffer was released hours later, these incidents underscore the growing dangers faced by MSF personnel. The recent kidnapping occurred when gunmen intercepted an MSF convoy evacuating from the Morobo to Yei River counties, seizing the team leader but allowing the rest of the team to proceed.

Ferdinand Atte, MSF's head of mission in South Sudan, expressed deep concern over the repeated attacks on humanitarian workers, calling for an immediate cessation of such violence. "While we are deeply committed to providing care to those in need, we cannot keep our staff working in an unsafe environment," Atte stated.

This suspension marks the second time in less than three months that MSF has reduced its medical services in the area. The organization had previously scaled back its activities in May due to rising insecurity and had suspended operations in internally displaced persons camps in Morobo county amid ongoing violence.