Francis Deng expresses concern over S Kordofan

Special advisor to the UN body on genocide prevention says the issue has links with what happened in Darfur

Francis Deng, special advisor to the secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Prevention of Genocide expressed concern on Thursday about the situation in the state of South Kordofan.He called upon the government of Sudan to assume responsibilities towards protecting its civilians regardless of their racial, religious or political backgrounds.

Deng spoke about what has been reported by some human rights organizations about the attacks on civilian populations in the region in an interview with the UN radio station.

He said, “There have been reports of air raids and simultaneous military operations on the ground to target Nuban civilians. There is a need to link the problems in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and the Beja in eastern Sudan to what’s happening in Darfur.”

Deng added that the government must find comprehensive solutions to these problems in order to achieve lasting peace.

Citizens appeal

Meanwhile, citizens in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan appealed on Thursday to the international community and the UN Security Council to intervene immediately and stop the continued aerial bombardment on the civilians in the region.

Haseeb Shuli, a citizen of Umser Dibba village told Radio Dabanga that aerial bombing, which occurred on several areas two days ago led to the flight of hundreds of civilians to the mountains. “The people are still living in horror, especially children, women and citizen,” he said referring to the Antonov aircrafts in making the rounds overhead.

Trade banned

Other reports from South Kordofan suggested the commissioner of El Mirim issued a decision banning trade along the border of South Kordofan in North Sudan with the newly independent South Sudan.

He also closed the common market between the two regions. This has resulted in huge losses for traders and shortage of commodities. Prices of consumer goods and fuel has shot up by manifold.