Mass Exodus as South Sudan Military Evacuation Order Forces 100,000 Into Neighboring Ethiopia

South Sudan’s SSPDF evacuation order forces 100,000 to Ethiopia as healthcare collapses and malnutrition rates soar in Jonglei State.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 10:53 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Sudans Post

A Forced Migration Under Military Command

The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, or SSPDF, issued a drastic 72 hour evacuation mandate on March 6, compelling a total abandonment of Akobo town by civilians and humanitarian organizations. This directive has effectively emptied the regional hub, triggering a massive wave of displacement toward Ethiopia and neighboring counties. According to UNICEF, the order has uprooted families who have already endured multiple cycles of violence, leaving tens of thousands to navigate treacherous routes on foot. The scale of the movement underscores a worsening security vacuum in Jonglei State, where military objectives have taken precedence over the safety of the local population.

The Systematic Collapse of Regional Healthcare

The withdrawal of aid agencies and medical staff has led to the total collapse of the Akobo hospital, which served as a primary medical lifeline for the region. Reports indicate that the facility was abandoned and subsequently looted, leaving those receiving treatment with no choice but to join the exodus. Since the beginning of the year, at least 28 health and nutrition centers across Jonglei have been destroyed or forced to shutter their doors. This erosion of the medical landscape is occurring at a moment of extreme vulnerability, as a cholera outbreak continues to claim lives in Ayod, Duk, and Uror counties, with the death toll rising alongside infection rates.

Escalating Hostilities and the Humanitarian Fallout

This latest displacement is a direct consequence of intensifying armed clashes between the SSPDF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition, or SPLA-IO. The conflict has rippled across Jonglei and the Upper Nile, creating a volatile environment that has displaced over 267,000 people since January. Diplomatic circles have criticized the evacuation order for its disregard of international humanitarian norms, as it has left a massive population without access to basic shelter, clean water, or food. The territorial struggle between these two factions continues to redefine the front lines, often at the direct expense of the region’s most fragile communities.