UN urges end to Sudan’s conflict, as Amnesty petitions Security Council

June 7, 2012 (LONDON) — The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian
Coordinator in Sudan on Thursday expressed deep concern at reports of
raids and looting of markets by armed groups in both South Kordofan
and North Kordofan, forcing more civilians to reportedly flee their
homes.

Ali Al-Za’tari further said he was alarmed by reports of high numbers
of people fleeing to neighboring South Sudan in the wake of continued
fighting as well as severe food shortages in South Kordofan and Blue
Nile states.

“Significant numbers of vulnerable people, including large numbers of
women and children, are fleeing within Kordofan and also to South
Sudan from South Kordofan and Blue Nile seeking shelter and supplies,
indicating that the humanitarian situation is increasingly
deteriorating. It is essential that humanitarian assistance reaches
all people in need, wherever they may be located,” said Al-Za’tari in
a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

At least 150,000 Sudanese refugees, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR)
says, are currently camped in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state having
fled continuous fighting in Sudan’s South Kordofan and Blue Nile
state.

He reiterated the call for an end to the conflict, while appealing to
the Sudanese government to allow humanitarian access to all vulnerable
civilians, especially women and children who are said to particularly
be at risk.

Terrorizing civilians within Sudan, he noted, and the increase in
numbers of refugees fleeing to South Sudan points to an “extremely”
worrying situation.
The Humanitarian Coordinator also stressed the need for continued
dialogue between all parties to facilitate a peaceful solution to the
conflicts.

“Ultimately, what is needed in South Kordofan and Blue Nile is for
fighting to stop and for a political settlement to be negotiated.
People need to be able to return to their homes and villages and
rebuild their lives in dignity, safety and without fear,” he said.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REACTS

On Thursday, Amnesty International, in its report, said the UN
Security Council (UNSC) must fulfill its duty to protect civilians in
Sudan and take immediate action to halt the military’s indiscriminate
airstrikes.

The report, released on 7 June, documents a series of atrocities
allegedly committed by the Sudanese government in the states of South
Kordofan and Blue Nile, highlighting the need for aid organizations to
be granted immediate access to these conflict-affected areas.

More than half a million people, the organization says, have been
displaced by ongoing indiscriminate airstrikes by the Sudanese Armed
Forces (SAF), since violence broke out in the two states a year ago.

It also accuses Sudanese authorities over alleged refusal to allow
independent humanitarian assistance to people affected by severe food
shortages in these areas.

“The situation is desperate and time is running out to ensure the
refugees have adequate protection and supplies during the six-month
rainy season when logistical constraints in South Sudan cripple
attempts to provide assistance,” said Khairunissa Dhala, its South
Sudan researcher.

“For more than a year now the UN Security Council has been slow to
react and has watched this catastrophe unfold. It’s time it lived up
to its mandate and took action to prevent this dire situation
deteriorating further,” he added, particularly urging Russia and China
to support the Security Council response to these issues.

Between March and April 2012, Amnesty International reportedly visited
eight refugee camps in South Sudan, where inhabitants “faced risks
such as forced recruitment into armed groups and sexual violence, in
addition to food and water shortages.”

The report, entitled, “We can run away from bombs, but not from
hunger “: Sudan’s refugees in South Sudan also detail how some refugees
in Yida refugee camp in Unity State “have waited almost 10 hours to
receive one container of water or three weeks to access food rations.”

The organization further calls on the UN to accelerate efforts to
pre-position humanitarian supplies for the rainy season, to strengthen
education programmes and to ensure measures are in place to protect
women and girls in the refugee camps.

(ST).