UNSC raises concern over Blue Nile and South Kordofan

The UN Security Council has raised its ‘growing concern’ over the increasingly desperate food shortages in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states. In a statement released on Tuesday, the body asked for Khartoum and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North to allow delivery of humanitarian aid to the conflict areas. The 15 members of the council are ‘alarmed that the level of malnutrition and food insecurity in some areas of South Kordofan and Blue Nile could reach dangerous levels unless there is immediate action.’ The UNSC called for Khartoum to allow a UN mission entry to assess the situation, and asked both parties to ‘ensure immediate and safe access without restrictions to humanitarian aid workers and food assistance.’ The statement also asked for the Sudanese government and the SPLM-N to ‘return to the negotiating table to resolve their issues.’