AU Concerned Over Humanitarian Situation In Southern Kordofan in Sudan

The African Union, AU Commission Chairperson, Dr. Jean Ping stated on Tuesday that the Union was deeply concerned with the looming humanitarian crisis unfolding in Southern Kordofan State in Sudan.

Following the armed conflict that broke out between the Sudanese Government and the SPLA on 5th June, 2011, hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced from their homes and face hunger and epidemic diseases due to the fighting, aerial bombardment and the interruption of essential supplies.

Speaking on Tuesday in Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa, Ping said that there are also reports of human rights abuses in Southern Kordofan State which need investigation.

Ping called upon both parties to facilitate access by humanitarian agencies to the civilian population in all parts of Southern Kordofan.

He reminded the Government of Sudan and SPL A/M of their respective obligations under International Humanitarian Law, and called upon them to act immediately to enable assistance to reach the affected population, and for people in distress to be evacuated to safe areas.

Dr. Jean Ping urged the parties to engage wholeheartedly in their negotiations towards a political settlement of the conflict in Southern Kordofan. The talks are currently underway in Addis Ababa, under the facilitation of the AU High – Level Implementation Panel, AUHIP.

The AU insists that there is no military solution to the current political conflict and that the parties need to urgently agree to a cessation of hostilities.

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