MSF says lost contact with its staff in South Sudan

Nov 21, 2005 (WASHINGTON) — Medecins sans Frontieres said Monday it has been unable to contact its Sudanese staff in southern Sudan since fresh violence broke out a week ago.

On Nov. 15, the Yambio region — considered to be one of the most stable areas in the country torn by ethnic fighting and civil war — was the scene of new ethnic attacks between Dinka and Zande fighters. During the outburst, a United Nations compound was looted and burned.

The fighting has spread to Tanbura and Ezo counties, where Medecins San Frontieres is working, but where it has been unable to reach or evacuate its staff.

“Tension in Sudan is far from subsiding. Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) is worried about the insecurity in western Equatoria and highlights its enormous concern about the situation endured by the population,” said the humanitarian relief organization known in the United States as Doctors without Borders.

The Sudanese government in Khartoum in 2005 reached a peace agreement with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army, ostensibly ending a 20-year civil war between the Muslim north, which controls the government, and the animist and Christian south.

However, ethnic fighting has continued in the western part of the country known as Darfur, where a massive refugee crisis encompassing millions continues.

MSF, which has won a Nobel Peace Prize, is attempting to treat and prevent sleeping sickness, one of Africa’s major killers.

(UPI/ST)