UK charity denies using government-linked sources for information
March 24, 2013, (LONDON) – UK-based charity the Sudan Social Development Organisation (SUDO UK) has denied using sources linked to the Sudanese government, saying it has independently verified an attack by the Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLA/MM) which led to the deaths of four civilians.
“We would like to confirm that the four civilians were killed in cold blood and SUDO UK have verified the incident and its occurrence on the ground in Darfur and have not received any information from Kampala as [an] SLA/MM statement alleged,” the group said in a statement on its website.
“SUDO UK is an impartial, non-political, non-partisan NGO and is not by any means connected to any of the parties to the conflict”, it added.
The group was responding to allegations contained in a statement issued by the SLA/MM alleging SUDO UK relied, for its information, on a suspicious source based in the Ugandan capital Kampala known for its links with Sudanese government circles.
SLM-MM has denied killing four civilians from the Rizeigat tribal group following a series of clashes in South Darfur between the two sides, saying their fighters were busy battling the Sudanese army (SAF) on the day when the alleged attack occurred.
In its statement, the rebel group reiterated its commitment to international humanitarian and human rights laws, adding that its combatants are committed in letter and spirit to its provisions.
SUDO UK alleges that on 15 March rebel fighters attacked a Rizeigat settlement in Belieil, 35kms from the South Darfur state’s capital Nyala the capital, killing four civilians.
The UK charity added that the attack took place following recent attacks by the Sudanese army on the SLM-MM positions involving some Rizeigat militiamen.
SUDO UK has condemned the killing of civilians by the SLA-MM, urging the rebel movement to bring to justice those officers responsible for the deaths.
It also called on UNAMID forces to intervene proactively to ensure that civilian lives are protected and to carry out an independent investigation into the latest killings.
SUDO (UK) named the four deceased on its website as Mohammed Khier Yagoub Musa, Musa Tahir, Mohammed Musa Tahir and Abkr Mahmoud.
(ST)