Sudan keeps UN out of Blue Nile

World organization orders Khartoum to stop aerial attacks on civilians

Sudanese authorities stationed in the north of the country prevented UN agencies and other relief organizations from entering the Blue Nile state, the UN office said in a report on Wednesday.In the wake of the recent clashes in Blue Nile, UN agencies and international humanitarian organizations had sought permission from the Sudanese government for access to the state of Sennar and some areas of the Blue Nile to assess the situation and to help meet humanitarian needs.

However, the government turned down the UN’s request. According to the UN, the crisis has caused displacement of 50,000 civilians, with 20,000 fleeing to Ethiopia.

UN: Stop bombing immediately

Two senior UN officials today demanded an immediate ceasefire in South Kordofan where the government forces have been reportedly attacking civilians by aerial bombing.

“We remind the Government of Sudan of its responsibility to protect its populations – irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political affiliation – from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity,” said Francis Deng, special adviser to UN secretary-general Ban Ki Moon.

Germany expresses concern

On the other hand, Cornelia Piper, German secretary of state for the foreign office (Asia and Africa), said in a statement on Wednesday that the Khartoum government and allied militias in Kordofan and Darfur to stop fighting and return to negotiations again.

The statement also expressed concern of the German government towards the deteriorating security situation in Sudan due to increasing hostility in the regions of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.