Seven Killed in South Sudan Hospital Bombing as Civil War Fears Grow

South Sudan hospital bombing has claimed at least seven lives in Old Fangak, Jonglei State, with Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reporting a devastating airstrike on the only medical facility serving over 110,000 civilians in the region. The attack has intensified concerns about the nation’s fragile peace and a possible return to full-scale civil war.

Deadly Attack on Hospital and Market

According to MSF, helicopter gunships dropped a bomb directly on the pharmacy of its hospital in Old Fangak. The strike destroyed critical medical supplies and left over 20 civilians wounded. The adjacent local market was also hit, adding to the civilian toll.

The Old Fangak hospital is the only health facility in the entire county, and its destruction leaves the region medically stranded amidst escalating violence.

Violation of International Humanitarian Law

MSF condemned the bombing as a “clear violation of international humanitarian law,” pointing to the targeting of protected civilian infrastructure. Legal experts warn that targeting a functioning hospital constitutes a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.

Local leaders echoed the outrage, stating that such attacks will only deepen resentment, mistrust, and retaliation in already tense regions.

UN Raises Alarm Over Civil War Risk

Nicholas Haysom, head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, expressed serious concern over the nation “teetering on the edge of another civil war.” Tensions between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar have surged, exacerbated by a feud over security and governance within the transitional unity government.

The recent bombing follows military threats of “punitive action” after several government supply barges were hijacked in the region. Military spokespersons claim anti-government militias, including the White Army, were behind the attacks.

Background: A Nation Haunted by War

South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, gained independence in 2011 but descended into civil war in 2013 following political rivalries. That conflict killed an estimated 400,000 people and displaced over 2.5 million. A 2018 peace agreement brought a temporary calm, but deep-rooted grievances remain.

With fresh bombings and armed clashes now resurfacing, many fear the country is spiraling back into its violent past.

White Army and Militia Escalations

The White Army—an ethnic Nuer militia—clashed with government troops earlier this year. Its resurgence, along with other armed groups, is complicating peace implementation and threatening stability. Analysts warn that unless contained, these militias could reignite full-scale regional wars.

Global Calls for Civilian Protection

Rights groups and international organizations are calling for an immediate halt to military bombings in civilian-populated areas. “The protection of noncombatants must be prioritized,” one aid group stated. Humanitarian actors now face difficult conditions as access to medical and food relief becomes restricted.

The Road Ahead: Urgent Peace Intervention Needed

The bombing in Old Fangak underscores the urgent need for international diplomatic intervention and regional mediation. Without immediate action, South Sudan risks plunging back into a prolonged and devastating civil conflict.

The Grand Vision Turned Nightmare

Ghana’s National Cathedral was once envisioned as a grand monument to God and country. But today, its walls are plywood barriers, its spires replaced by idle cranes, and its foundations echo with the croaks of frogs nesting in stagnant rainwater.

A Costly Project in a Debt-Saddled Country

Former President Nana Akufo-Addo allocated over $58 million in public funds to the cathedral — a portion of a planned $400 million project. This comes at a time when Ghana’s economy faces “severe distress,” according to the finance ministry’s March assessment. The country is grappling with record inflation, currency devaluation, and rising public debt.

The Controversy Surrounding the Cathedral

The cathedral was designed by world-renowned architect David Adjaye. Yet, apart from architectural drawings and a hole in the ground, little progress has been made.

“They have only dug a hole — a big hole.”
— Praise Chinedu, university student and Pentecostal Christian

Across Accra, locals sarcastically refer to it as “the most expensive hole in the world.” Once hailed as a religious landmark, the project has instead become a punchline and a political weapon.

The Political Fallout

With Akufo-Addo out of office, the cathedral now faces near-certain abandonment. The new administration has placed it under scrutiny as part of its anticorruption drive, “Operation Recover All Loot.” Allegations of procurement breaches have led to calls for a forensic audit. A public ombudsman flagged major irregularities in the project’s funding and contracting process.

The Failed Vision

Despite its ambition, the project never garnered the widespread support Akufo-Addo expected. As the economy collapsed under inflation and mounting debt, the idea of spending hundreds of millions on a cathedral drew growing backlash — even from devout Christians.

The President’s Pledge to God

In a 2019 fundraising dinner in Washington, Akufo-Addo stated:

“I made a pledge to God that if I become the president — after two unsuccessful attempts — in the 2016 presidential elections, I will build a cathedral to the glory of God.”

Critics questioned whether taxpayer funds should finance what they view as a personal religious promise. Construction slowed, and public anger intensified.

The Aftermath

Today, few Ghanaians — even among religious leaders — openly defend the project. Many believe the former president should complete the cathedral using his own resources, not public funds.

The Future of the Cathedral

With state funding withdrawn, construction has halted indefinitely. The site remains a rain-soaked foundation ringed by fences — and no clear plan forward.

A Lesson Learned

The unfinished National Cathedral is now a symbol of failed leadership, public waste, and poor fiscal planning. It highlights the dangers of prioritizing personal legacy over national stability.

As Ghana continues to navigate economic recovery, the cathedral serves as a reminder that public trust is sacred — and must never be traded for vanity projects.