Blockade at border area causing food shortages in Kuwalib

A number of citizens of El Kuwalib, east of the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan are facing an increasingly difficult humanitarian situation as a result of the blockade on trade imposed by Khartoum preventing the flow of commodities and fuel to the area. A source said the amount of food for citizens in the area is expected to run out by the end of March. He accused the government of using food as a weapon against residents of the area and called on the international community to pressure Khartoum to allow humanitarian organisations to operate in the region.Al Bashir: humanitarian organisations not beneficial for citizens On Wednesday President Al Bashir lashed out at international aid organisatons hoping to work in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, in spite of calls from the US and more recently the UN Security Council, to allow aid into the two conflict areas facing urgent humanitarian conditions. Addressing the opening session of the conference of the Islamic Dawa Organisation Trustees in Khartoum, Al Bashir considered the relief provided by aid organisations as more counterproductive than beneficial for Sudanese citizens. He accused international organisations of masking hidden agendas and exploiting displaced people, and said expelling them protects the people of both regions.