April 2012
As violence continues to escalate following rows between Sudan and South Sudan over oil and the countries’ border, the UN fears for the safety of 85,000 citizens who have registered as displaced. Christian Aid’s ACT Alliance partners, along with local organisations HARD and SUDRA, are supporting people affected.
Violence in the Heglig
Nine months after South Sudan separated from Sudan following a historic referendum, mounting tensions between the two countries have hit boiling point. With peace talks having been discontinued, the two countries have slipped closer to a state of war.
The separation of South Sudan has been plagued by violence from the outset. Both countries are believed to be mobilising for war following South Sudan’s seizure of the Heglig oil region. South Sudan has accused Sudan of retaliating by bombing the capital of the oil-producing Unity border sate, leading to several deaths.
The UN and African Union have urged South Sudan to withdraw its troops from the contested area while urging restraint from both sides. A statement by the UN Security Council also calls for an end to aerial bombardments by the Sudanese Armed Forces and to incidents of cross border violence between Sudan and South Sudan.
A statement released by senior Sudanese negotiator Sabir Hassan urges ‘the two sides to sit down and try to negotiate’ but states that ‘war is imminent’.
At the same time, the threat of conflict between different ethnic groups remains. This has already displaced many thousands in South Sudan’s Jonglei region.
Christian Aid responds
Christian Aid’s ACT Alliance partner Lutheran World Federation has been providing food and other essential items to the displaced prior to the recent outbreak of violence.
Further support is being provided through partners HARD and SUDRA who are distributing emergency kits containing essential items to people displaced from the contested region of Abyei, which is close to the border between Sudan and South Sudan, and to others who have fled conflict.
Peace needed
While our partners respond to the immediate needs of those affected by the fighting, they are also supporting work at local, national and international levels to bring much needed peace to conflicts within and between South Sudan and Sudan.
This new round of violence follows hard on the heels of two civil wars, the second of which left two million dead and four million displaced. The need to address the causes and impact of this war remains critical.
‘A sustainable peace process is critical to bringing stability to the region and paving the way for development.’ says ACT Alliance’s general secretary, John Nduna.
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