Médecins sans frontières (MSF) has lamented the loss of contact with 26 employees in Jonglei State, South Sudan, following an increase in violence between rival factions. This worry comes as the United Nations has issued warnings regarding the potential for a resurgence of widespread civil conflict in the country. Last week, the UN reported a deadly attack in Ruweng province where many civilians and local leaders were killed, highlighting the escalating violence in the region.

The unrest is largely driven by clashes between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those supporting his rival, Riek Machar. The intensification of fighting poses a serious risk to humanitarian operations and further exacerbates the already dire conditions faced by civilians in South Sudan. MSF's inability to communicate with its staff compounds the risks associated with delivering aid in such unstable environments.

The situation in South Sudan is precarious, with the UN describing the ongoing violence as a potential precursor to a return to civil war. The international community is urged to pay attention to the worsening conditions and the implications for regional stability, humanitarian access, and the safety of aid workers operating in conflict zones. The loss of MSF personnel could severely hinder aid distribution, increasing the suffering of the local population caught in the crossfire of armed conflict.