Sudan has welcomed a tripartite
initiative proposed by the African Union, Arab League and the United Nations to
deliver humanitarian assistance to the needy civilians in the areas held by the
rebel Sudan people’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N).
Last January, UN humanitarian chief
Valerie Amos announced the United Nations is negotiating with the African Union
and Arab League about providing observers in South Kordofan and Blue Nile
states. The African and Arab observers should make sure that food and
humanitarian assistance reach only the needy civilians.
Sudan refuses to allow humanitarian
aid to reach the civilians in SPLM controlled areas in South Kordofan saying
the rebels prevent them from leaving their positions in order to draw food for
their fighters. They also suspect some international aid groups of supporting
the rebels.
According to the official news agency
SUNA, delegates of the three regional and international organizations have
submitted Tuesday the tripartite initiative to the Sudanese Social Welfare
Minister Amira al-Fadel Mohamed and Commissioner of the Humanitarian Aid
Commission (HAC), Suleiman Abdel Rahman.
The minister told the delegates that
the proposal will be referred to the competent authorities at the foreign
ministry and HAC for consultations; but she however announced her initial
approval of the submitted plan; according to SUNA.
The commissioner, following the
meeting, stated that all the humanitarian arrangements in the states of South
Kordofan and Blue Nile are progressing according to schedule. He further said
comprehensive surveys are now conducted in South Kordofan by national partners
to identify the needs in the troubled states.
Suleiman denied that his government is
facing any pressures from international organisations stressing that the Sudan
does not object to the delivery of humanitarian assistance to all its citizens,
but this should be in the context of national sovereignty.
The Sudanese official was alluding to
the threats by US officials to conduct a cross-border humanitarian intervention
to the South Kordofan state. Washington said that famine would occur in these
regions if Sudan continues to reject access of international aid groups to the
rebel held areas.
US Ambassador to the United Nations ,
Susan Rice sent a letter to the UN Security Council on 16 January saying that
over 500,000 people are affected by the war there "and if there is not a substantial
new inflow of aid by March of this year, the situation in Southern Kordofan and
Blue Nile will reach Stage 4 of an emergency, which is one step short of full
scale famine."
Sudan rejected the American threats
and accused Washington of making all these pressures to feed the rebels.
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