Popular call for end to war in Sudan’s Nuba Mountains

The people of South Kordofan (Nuba Mountains) have stressed the necessity to stop the war and bring peace to the state.

Human rights activist Ahmed Khatir Abit told Radio Dabanga that the war that broke out in the state in June 2011 between the government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North, popularly known as El Katma [suffocation], has caused problems and negative effects on the lives of the people of the state.

Abit said that “it is a sad and painful day for the state's people because of the tragedy that is compounded by the renewal of war and the resultant displacement, refuge, poverty, ignorance and sabotage, which impose on all stakeholders in the state to unite by raising their voices high to stop the war and achieve peace”.

He appealed to everyone to make this anniversary an occasion to call for stop of war and realisation of peace in this area of Sudan.

Deterioration

Environmental expert Dr Hasan Hammad, has warned of the terrible deterioration in the states of South and West Kordofan because of the excessive cutting of forests by the regular forces and the people.

He pointed out that large areas of the forest sector are exposed to deforestation and use of trees as charcoal and wood industry for commercial purposes.

Deforestation

Hammad attributed the reasons for the deforestation to the lack of environmental management, non-enforcement of environmental laws by the government, lack of environmental awareness among communities and spread of poverty among them.

The environmental expert called on the government to establish an environmental protection department and enable it to activate the environment law of 2001, in addition to involving the native administrations and educating the communities in these areas in preserving the environment.

Charcoal

People from Habila in South Kordofan reported to Radio Dabanga the plant sector in their areas has been subjected to a fierce unprecedented attack by army personnel and foreign traders.

They pointed out that military personnel in the area are fully dependent on their sources of income on charcoal and wood trade, spending most of their time cutting trees in the forests and the mountains.

They pointed out that the national road Kadugli-Delling is the best witness to the process of deforestation through the passage of hundreds of trucks loaded with charcoal and wood on the way to Khartoum.

They pointed out that the state Forest Administration has a big role in the process by granting permits to regular forces and individuals to cause deforestation under the name of establishing agricultural projects.

Ministry of Defence

The Ministry of Defence has denied any investments belonging to its members in the charcoal trade and sale.

On Monday, the State Defence Minister Ali Salim told the parliament that the affiliates of the ministry are not allowed to invest in that area.

He added that the state prohibits such investments as a threat to nature, except for the cutting of the mesquite tree in eastern Sudan only.