Refugees from Werni in the eastern Nuba Mountains accuse the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) of using a ‘new weapon’ that finally forced them to flee after more than two years of conflict: famine.

About 1300 Nuba from the Werni area fled into Upper Nile State recently rather than moving toward established refugee camps in Unity State. They are temporarily staying at Lelo Payam not far from the state capital Malakal.

Survivors tell Radio Tamazuj that continual bombings this year combined with the disruption of several successive agricultural seasons forced them to leave.

Zahara Tabir al-Tom, a mother of six children who came from Werni recently, said that she took ten days en route running from famine and airstrikes.

“SAF warplanes cannot spear [i.e., target] anything. Human beings, animals and the crops are all targets,” she said.

“To go out to look for food is a matter of death and life – SAF MiGs are just bombing anything they see moving,” she explained, noting that there have also been ground attacks.

She said that the destruction of crops by SAF warplanes has created famine because the people of the area did not cultivate for two years.

“You cannot go to cultivate or go to the forest to look for wild fruit – you will be killed by the SAF,” she said.

Marko Mario, another new arrival from Werni, said that SAF is using famine as a “new weapon to win the war.” He mentioned attacks on their crops and herds.

“There is no distinction between legitimate targets and those of civilians – this indiscriminate bombing has created famine in our areas and we could not stay because many of our people are dying,” he said.

Some survivors said that they lost many relatives either before or during their journey owing to hunger and sickness.  

One man said he lost over 40 relatives, mainly children and elderly: “Many of our relatives died on the way as they could not make it due to hunger and sickness.”

Meanwhile, another group of Nuba is reported to have arrived under similar circumstances somewhat farther north, in Fashoda County. At least part of this group have come from the Kau Nyaro area of south-eastern Kordofan.

Photo: Nuba refugees in Lelo Payam, Upper Nile State, prepare to face the rain, 3 October 2013 (Radio Tamazuj)

Related: ‘Neglected’ refugees in western Upper Nile face hunger (5 October)