webmaster
© Copyright DEHAI-Eritrea OnLine, 1993-2011
All rights reserved
From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Sat Sep 03 2011 - 11:06:25 EDT
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Thousands-Flee-Unrest-in-Sudans-Blue-Nile-State-129183413.html
September 03, 2011 Thousands Flee Unrest in Sudan's Blue Nile State
VOA News
Calls are coming in from around the world to immediately end all fighting
in a key Sudan border state as thousands flee to escape the violence.
The United Nations said Saturday at least 3,000 people have crossed into
Ethiopia since clashes erupted in Blue Nile state between the Sudanese army
and rebels loyal to newly independent South Sudan.
U.N. refugee chief Antonio Guterres said the fighting must end immediately
to avoid "yet one more refugee crisis" in a region that already suffers from
multiple conflicts and neighbors the famine- and conflict-stricken Horn of
Africa.
Guterres' call echoes similar statements from U.N. Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon and the U.S. state department Friday. Both said they were "deeply
concerned" about the hostilities and called on Sudan and South Sudan to work
on resolving differences through peaceful negotiation.
Fighting broke out Thursday in Blue Nile state, which is in Sudan, but home
to many who supported the south during a 21-year civil war.
Each side has accused the other of instigating violence in the town of
al-Damazine.
Sudan's state run news agency said Friday the government had responded by
declaring a state of emergency in Blue Nile state and appointing a military
ruler for the region.
The latest unrest has raised concerns that fighting between the two sides is
spreading from Sudan's Southern Kordofan state, which is also located along
the border. Clashes have escalated since South Sudan declared independence
from the north in July.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir called for a truce in Southern Kordofan
state in late August, after the United Nations said it had reports
indicating that Sudanese forces were committing human rights abuses against
southern supporters.
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----