UN concerned over escalation of violence in S. Kordofan

October 24, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan Ali Al-Za’tari on Tuesday expressed deep concern about the escalation of fighting in and around Kadugli, the state capital of South Kordofan.

The Sudanese rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) launched a new mortar attack on Kadugli on Tuesday 23 October. The Sudanese authorities said two children died and 8 civilians sustained injuries. But the UN official said one child was killed.

Two of the fired shells, he added, fell near the UN Children Fund (UNICEF) compound; with the incident, coming less than a month after five shells fired at the South Kordofan capital caused civilian deaths and injuries.

“It should be reminded that life is lost, on both sides, and that many people have been victimized by the lack of access to basic necessities and normal life. This vicious and violent circle has to end and it has to give way to a settlement allowing the people of the State to lead a prosperous life devoid of insecurity and uncertainty and filled with hope and development,” said Al-Za’tari, in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

The fighting between the Sudanese government and the SPLM-N rebels in the South Kordofan and Blue Nile state have dented efforts by humanitarian agencies to assist the population, many of whom have been forced to flee the conflict into neighbouring South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Recently, however, the tripartite group, comprising of the African Union, the League of Arab States and the United Nations, put forward a revised plan of action for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to war affected civilians in both South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

The Humanitarian Coordinator urged both the Sudan government and the SPLM-N rebels to implement the plan of action and provide the security guarantees to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian and other types of assistance required by the affected people.

The appeal comes as Anne C. Richards, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugee and Migration embarks on a weeklong tour of Kenya and South Sudan.

Her visit, according to the US Department of State, will involve visiting various refugee settlements in the two nations, with specific focus on the protection and assistance for refugees in both Kenya and South Sudan.

(ST)