Worldwide Web WorldTribune.com

  breaking... 


Monday, February 18, 2008       Free Headline Alerts

New violence in southern Sudan

CAIRO — After a three-year lull, southern Sudan has been plunged into violence.

The United Nations reported that Sudanese in the southern state of Central Equatoria have been attacked in January and February 2008. They said the attackers were members of an unidentified militia that operated along the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Feb. 14 report said the UN has sent relief supplies to three counties in Central Equatoria, the target of the violence. The violence has included lootings and abductions, Middle East Newsline reported. So far there have not been reports of killings.

Also In This Edition

"Members of an unidentified armed group have launched a series of violent attacks against locals in southern Sudan's Central Equatoria state over the past month, prompting United Nations officials to organize the distribution of basic relief supplies to the affected population in the already impoverished region," the UN report said.

The UN Mission in Sudan has relayed testimony from witnesses who identified the attackers as members of the Lord's Resistance Army. The rebel group, formed in 1987 by Christian rebels, has been fighting Sudan's military as well as neighboring Uganda.

LRA, which uses child soldiers, has been accused of widespread human rights violations. They included mutilation, torture, rape and abduction of civlians.

The UN has already been stretched in its mission in the western Sudanese province of Darfour. Despite efforts, the UN has failed to acquire helicopters for its joint mission with the African Union.

In another report, UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon urged member states to cooperate in security efforts. The report, titled "Securing Peace and Development," stressed the UN ability to help in security sector reform.

"There are no quick fixes for establishing effective and accountable security institutions," the report said. "Where a genuine will to build effective and accountable security does not exist or where there is no basic agreement between national actors on the objectives and the approach for national security arrangements, the potential contribution of the United Nations — and other partners — is limited at best."



About Us     l    Contact Us     l    Geostrategy-Direct.com     l    East-Asia-Intel.com
Copyright © 2008    East West Services, Inc.    All rights reserved.