Future Humanitarian Efforts in South Sudan are at Risk Due to an Increase in Kidnappings for Ransom

According to humanitarian officials, around 30 South Sudanese relief workers have been kidnapped since the year began. That is more than treble the total number of people abducted in 2024. One person passed away in captivity earlier this month, while others of the kidnapped individuals were freed following ransom payments.

According to three sources with knowledge of the incident, who spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with laws, South Sudanese humanitarian worker James Unguba was abducted last month in the Western Equatoria state’s Tambura district and passed away in captivity on September 3.

According to the three, individuals wearing national military uniforms kidnapped Unguba, who a local assistance agency employed. His death’s precise circumstances were not immediately apparent. The army refused to comment.

Several people with knowledge of the negotiations told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity that although the United Nations and the majority of aid organizations have a strict policy against paying ransom, victims’ families occasionally use neutral actors, such as churches, as middlemen to make payments.

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