Humanitarian agencies evacuate staff amid war in southern Sudan
LOKICHOKIO, Kenya, April 1, 2004 (dpa) — Humanitarian aid workers operating in the Upper Nile region in southern Sudan have been ordered to stop humanitarian activities immediately and leave amid increasing tension, it was stated Thursday.
“We have evacuated all NGO staff from mid western, Upper Nile region yesterday”, Abdalla Akece, an officer with Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SRRC) told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
He said the decision to withdraw staff followed renewed military operations between fighters of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and government forces.
Akece said the offensive is concentrated in the Nyigier, Aboroce, and Orenyngo areas in the mid-west. “Our forces have inflicted heavy casualties on the enemies”, he said.
Fighting in the area renewed in 2004 after government-backed militias in the south staged several attacks on SPLA positions there. The ongoing offensives have claimed more lives among the civilian population in the Upper Nile region.
A peace activist, Rebecca Joshua, estimated on her arrival from the Upper Nile that about 100 civilians had been killed.
Concerns that the fighting in the region would effect the peace talks currently underway in Kenya have increased following an accusation by a rebel figure, who requested anonymity, that Khartoum’s policy is to clear the area of SPLA presence.
The rebels say they are monitoring the situation. Sudanese authorities have reportedly denied any involvement in the current fighting and held its militias responsible for the renewed war.
The Upper Nile region is home to more than 20 government sponsored militia groups.