SHRN call for an immediate international humanitarian assistance to the Southern Kordofan. SHRN is deeply concerned about the fighting and the deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in Kadugli, the capital of Southern Kordofan.
Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountain is a former civil war battle ground which is awash with different kinds of weapons. On Sunday June 5,2011, Sudanese Armed Forces(SAF) attempted unilaterally to disarm Sudan People’s Liberation Army fighters without consulting with Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) leadership in the region. A rebellion had ensued within SAF, when a group of SAF troops in the 14th infantry division refused to disarm the SPLA. Division 14 of SAF is mostly from the south part of Southern Kordofan who refused to fight their own kinship from the Nuba Mountain. SAF declared the situation in Southern Kordofan as an armed mutiny and started bombarding the town of Kadugli indiscriminately. Additional reinforcement of tanks, weapons and troops were sent from Khartoum to the region.
The continuation of the heavy bombardment led to the displacement of large population, about 8000 (IDPs) mainly women, children and elderly and disabled chose to camp near the United Nations offices for fear of aerial bombardment amid deteriorating humanitarian situation due to lack of food and security. Also large numbers of the displaced continue to arrive in El Obied, the capital of North Kordofan approximately 290 Kilometers North of Kadugli. As of today the conditions in Kadugli is dire and continues to worsen by the day. As violence continues to escalate schools, government offices and shops in Kadugli are closed. There has been no electricity, water supply and hospitals are devoid of the basic necessities. The Popular Defense Forces(PDF) and some government militias are targeting civilians and prominent members of SPLA. Empty houses, shops whose owners were forced to leave the town were looted. The properties and offices of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement secretariat were ransacked. The Roads between ElObeid and Dalang are becoming unsafe and controlled by the government militias and the popular defense forces. The Khartoum government denied international media access to the area.
The situation in Southern Kordofan requires international attention to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access to the displaced. SHRN warns of genocide if the Khartoum regime is not being deterred by the international community. SHRN sources indicate that the situation will continue to further deteriorates if no immediate action is taken. Thus international intervention to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and save the lives of civilian in the area is urgently required