By Carolyn Abdenour
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa
SOUTH KORDOFAN, Sudan – On Wednesday, June 15, 2011, President Barack Obama appealed to Sudan to enact a ceasefire after 64 people were killed in air strikes conducted by Sudanese government forces. Thousands were displaced after an upsurge of fighting in the South Korforfan region. Reports place the number of displaced around 60,000.
Clashes in Sudan began on June 5, 2011, after northern forces attempted to disarm members of the Nuba ethnic group. During the Second Civil War that started in 1983, those belonging to this group fought for Southern Sudan. On Monday, Peter Gadet, a former southern general turned military commander, led rebels on an attack that killed 29 people in the state of Warrap. In previous weeks heavily armed cattle raiders engaged in battles in Lakes, killing at least 71 people.
In the past month, clashes occurred in Abyei and South Kordanfan, raising fears that north-south conflicts will reignite. The civil war between the north and south, which endured for decades and killed approximately two million people, ended in 2005 with a peace agreement. Under the agreement, residence of southern Sudan could vote on whether to secede from the Muslim and Arabic-speaking north. In January, 99% of southern Sudanese voters favored independence. The South will become independent on July 9, 2011.
With independence, the South will gain control of 75% of the daily oil production in Sudan. Sudan currently produces 490,000 barrels of oil daily. Companies from China, Malaysia, and India are the primary producers of Sudan’s oil.
The United Nations describes Tuesday’s violence as an “intensive bombing campaign.” The UN also reported facing difficulties delivering aid to refugees because Sudanese authorities are blocking aid efforts. UNHCR spokeswoman Fatoumata Lejeune-Kaba stated “we need the cooperation and the support of the government to allow us safe passage wherever we need to go.” Human Rights Watch also reports witnessing house-to-house searches and “widespread abuse” in Southern Kordofan by the Sudanese government.
Calling for a ceasefire, President Obama stated “There is no military solution. The leaders of Sudan and South Sudan must live up to their responsibilities.” He continued by stating that “The government of Sudan must prevent a further escalation of this crisis by ceasing its military actions immediately, including aerial bombardments, forced displacement and campaigns of intimidation” to prevent a return to civil war.
Southern Information Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin welcomed President Obama’s comments and noted that rather than force, the situation called for a well-planned disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration program.
For more information, please see:
ABC News – Almost 100 killed in south Sudan clashes – 15 June 2011
BBC – Sudan: Barack Obama calls for ceasefire – 15 June 2011
Bloomberg – Sudanese Fighting Displaces 60,000 in Southern Kordofan State, UN Says – 15 June 2011
Reuters – UPDATE 1-Obama calls for ceasefire in Sudan – 15 June 2011
