EU condemns attacks on civilians in Umm Rawaba -Sudan

The High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the European Union issued a statement on Thursday condemning recent attacks on civilians in Umm Rawaba, North Kordofan, by a rebel alliance. Last Saturday the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), a coalition of rebel forces recruiting primarily in Darfur and Kordofan, reportedly raided Umm Rawaba, overpowering local security forces, firing at government buildings and looting the market. In her statement, Catherine Ashton also condemned the ongoing fighting between government and SPLM-North forces in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile. She noted that for the first time since 2011 the Sudanese government and SPLM-N held direct talks to try to end the conflict in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. The High Representative urged both parties to commit to resume negotiations in good faith in order to agree on an immediate ceasefire, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and on a comprehensive solution to the conflict in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile with a view to an inclusive national dialogue. On 29 April, Radio Tamazuj reported that the negotiation process between the Sudanese government and SPLM-North was suspended in Addis Ababa amidst claims of diverging interests.File photo: Catherine Ashton (EU)Related: UN aid boss ‘shocked’ by North Kordofan attack, Sudan (29 April 2013)