As many as 60,000 people have fled bombing in Sudan’s South Kordofan region as Northern forces are accused of targeting pro- southern groups in the area. This is in light of the oil – rich South Sudan preparing for its independence from the North next month.
US President Barak Obama called for a cease fire in fighting in order to prevent a recurrence of a two-decade civil war between the north and the south. However, a spokesperson for the Sudanese embassy in London has pointed fingers at pro-south militias, claiming they are responsible for the escalating conflict. "They are not disciplined. They attacked UN forces and Sudanese army forces and instigated the whole situation," Ibrahim Mubarak claims.
UN aid in the area has been severely hampered as many areas were affected by the violence, causing many people to seek refuge in the mountains. "There is a growing sense of panic among some of the displaced populations who find themselves trapped by the ongoing violence and ethnic fault lines," the UN claims. The UN tried to appeal to the Sudanese government to allow their planes to land in the devastated areas in order to provide aid to the people.
Many believe that this unrest in the nation is a majority threat to the stability of Sudan and many fear another Darfur may be on their hands.
