SPLM-N calls to probe killing of Sudanese children in S. Kordofan
May 12, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) Secretary General Yasir Arman this week discussed with a UN official the protection of children in Sudan’s Two Areas and requested to investigate the killing of six children by Sudanese warplanes in South Kodofan.
On the first of May, six children from one family were killed in Hieban County in South Kordofan. The photos of the died children were widely disseminated across the social media.
In a statement released Thursday SPLM-N peace spokesperson Mubarak Ardol, said Arman met with Zerrougui on Wednesday and discussed the protection of children in the Two Areas, humanitarian access and vaccination campaign.
“The SPLM-N secretary general filled a formal complaint requesting an (international) investigation into the massacre of Heiban which claimed the lives of six children, said Ardol.
He further said that the Algerian diplomat asked him to lodge a written complaint to its office and promised to investigate the incident.
Sudanese army and the SPLM-N militants are fighting in Blue Nile and South Kordofan since 2011. Since every summer the government launches military attacks including airstrikes on the rebel position n the Two Areas.
According to Ardol, Zerrougui and Arman agreed to meet soon to discuss all the issues related to the protection of children, humanitarian access to the civilians in the war zones, vaccination campaign for children, and prevention of the recruitment and use of children as soldiers.
Zerrougui was in Addis Ababa where she addressed the third annual Open Session of the African Union Peace and Security Council on children and armed conflict on 10 May.
The UN envoy called for protecting schools from attacks and military use adding it is essential to ensure access to education for all children.
(ST)