The Embassies of Canada, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States have condemned what they described as a reported order by SPLM/A-IO Major General John Luk Bayak in northern Jonglei State directing humanitarian organizations to surrender their vehicles.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the embassies said the order constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian principles, warning that it places aid workers at serious risk and undermines the delivery of life-saving assistance to vulnerable communities.

“The reported order for humanitarian organizations to surrender their vehicles is unacceptable. It violates international humanitarian principles and puts assistance workers in harm’s way,” the statement said. “No party or individual in South Sudan has the right to confiscate assets provided by our governments to assist implementing partners.”

The diplomatic missions called for the immediate reversal of the order and the return of any seized assets, stressing that humanitarian vehicles and equipment are provided solely to support the delivery of life-saving aid to South Sudanese in need.

They warned that such actions obstruct humanitarian operations and threaten the safety of aid workers, noting that vehicles are essential for reaching hard-to-access communities, particularly in conflict-affected areas such as Jonglei, where insecurity, flooding, and displacement have compounded humanitarian needs.

Aid agencies have cautioned that interference with humanitarian assets can severely disrupt operations, delay assistance, and endanger both staff and civilians.

The embassies reiterated their governments’ continued commitment to supporting humanitarian assistance in South Sudan and urged all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, ensure unhindered access for aid organizations, and protect humanitarian personnel and assets.

The statement comes amid heightened concerns over access constraints and insecurity affecting humanitarian operations across parts of the country, where millions of people remain dependent on external assistance for survival.

South Sudan’s humanitarian community has repeatedly called on all armed actors to refrain from actions that impede aid delivery, warning that continued violations risk worsening an already dire humanitarian situation.