Difficulties for 500,000 S. Sudanese returnees
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
March 1, 2012 (BENTIU) – South Sudan’s deputy minister of humanitarian affairs, Sabina Dario Okolong, suggested that the route from El-Obeid, Kadugli, and Jau into Bentiu for South Sudanese returnees is no longer viable due to insecurity along the South Kordofan – Unity state border.
El-Obeid and Kadugli are in the north Sudanese states of North and South Kordofan; Benitu is in Unity state, South Sudan; while Jau is disputed town between the two countries.
Khartoum is engaged in conflict with rebels in South Kordofan which has caused mass displacement of its citizens. This has compounded difficulties surrounding the migration of South Sudanese returning to their homeland after their country’s independence was declared in July 2011.
South Sudan’s minister of humanitarian affairs signed a memorandum of understanding in Khartoum on repatriation but the agreed-upon route is no longer safe.
Okolong suggested an alternative routes through Upper Nile state on the Renk road.
In February Khartoum closed the port at Kosti where 12 barges of returnees were awaiting their journey home. Khartoum feared the route would be used by rebels.
(ST)