APO News from Africa:
Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. calls for protection of civilians in and around Aburoc:
The Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim for South Sudan, Serge Tissot, has demanded that parties to the conflict uphold their responsibilities to protect thousands of Shilluk civilians sheltering in and around Aburoc following the resumption of the government offensive and clashes in several locations on the West Bank in Upper Nile last week.
“Civilians in Aburoc are living in fear, not knowing what each day will bring,” said Mr. Tissot. “I call on the Government to respect the civilian nature of these settlements and ensure they are not subject to attacks, and call on the opposition forces to ensure that areas highly populated by civilians are, and remain, demilitarised.”
Thousands of civilians have arrived into Aburoc in recent days. Many have walked for days on foot–without access to sufficient water due to conflict along the River Nile–and are arriving exhausted and weak. Thousands are reportedly now moving toward Sudan out of fear of potential future attacks. Prices are exorbitant and transport is inadequate, so many people are having to walk.
“The first priority for civilians in Aburoc is, of course, their protection,” said Mr. Tissot. “Many are fleeing to Sudan, and our colleagues on the other side of the border will do all that is possible to assist them. However, it is entirely unacceptable that they are being forced to flee their home land.”
On 23 and 24 April, humanitarian organizations relocated staff from Kodok and Aburoc amidst the spread of conflict on the West Bank. Several courageous local staff remain in the community and are doing all they can to assist people in need. However, key humanitarian assets were looted by opposition forces and other actors in recent days.
“I demand the immediate return of all looted humanitarian assets in Aburoc, which are absolutely vital to life-saving humanitarian action. Without these assets, we are unable to operate in this area, which is very remote and incredibly logistically challenging.” said Mr. Tissot. “I also demand immediate guarantees from authorities that they will ensure the safety and security of humanitarian staff and assets and respect humanitarian space. We are outraged that humanitarians are again having to condemn unacceptable actions by authorities which ultimately increase the suffering of people in dire need.”
Humanitarians are exploring all feasible options to provide assistance to those fleeing the fighting but are facing major challenges, including lack of fuel in the area. An inter-agency team visited Aburoc on 29 April to see the situation first-hand and the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has released funds that will support the scale-up of emergency operations in locations where civilians are arriving.
“This operation is the true definition of life-saving,” said Mr. Tissot. “I therefore call on both parties to ensure immediate, free and unhindered humanitarian access to civilians, wherever they may flee, including for trucks to safely access the river and carry water to locations where IDPs are sheltering.”
Distributed by APO on behalf of Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Download logo
Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, His Excellency Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, welcomed the unanimous adoption by the Members of the UN Security Council of the resolution 2351 (2017), which extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 April 2018.
The Chairperson particularly hailed the constructive spirit and the resolve that guided the deliberations of the UN Security Council to move forward the stalled peace process and to support in this respect the UN Secretary-General’s determination to relaunch the negotiating process with the aim of reaching a durable solution to the conflict, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
The Chairperson also underlined the necessity, as emphasized by the resolution, of an effective MINURSO in overseeing the cease-fire Agreement and the imperative for both parties to respect the Agreement and to fully cooperate with the Mission. In this regard, He welcomed the withdrawal of the elements of Morocco and of SADR from the Guerguerat Buffer Strip, which constitutes an important step towards easing tensions in the territory and thus creating the most needed environment for the international community and the two parties to focus efforts on the political process.
The Chairperson, within the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security signed in April 2017, reiterated his determination to work closely with the UN Secretary-General towards the resumption of the negotiations process and finding a durable solution to this conflict in compliance with the AU Decisions and UN Resolutions.
Distributed by APO on behalf of African Union Commission (AUC).
Download logo
Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on South Sudan:
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General:
We are disturbed by the escalation of violence and subsequent suffering of civilians in South Sudan as a result of the recent government offensive. We urge the Government and other warring parties to cease hostilities, uphold their responsibility to protect civilians and cooperate with the United Nations and other humanitarian actors to ensure safe access to all civilians in imminent danger along the West Bank of the River Nile.
The renewed upsurge in fighting represents a callous and blatant disregard of the pledges made during the 25 March 2017 IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) Summit to implement a ceasefire and to facilitate humanitarian access.
There can be no military solution to the crisis in South Sudan. We hope regional and international partners will join us in encouraging the parties to return urgently to the negotiating table, and we remain committed to working with the African Union and IGAD to secure a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Distributed by APO on behalf of United Nations – Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Download logo
Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
