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ADDIS ABABA - 20 Sep 2012

Negotiator says Sudan to allow aid to South Kordofan

A lead Sudanese negotiator at the Addis Ababa talks has affirmed Sudan’s commitment to allow aid access in South Kordofan but also accused foreign organizations of carrying out aid work illegally.

In a press statement, Abdul Rahman Suleiman, stated that there was a meeting is planned in Khartoum between government and international planners to implement the necessary arrangements contained in a memorandum on the topic.

The meeting will discuss the number of affected people and compare statistics from the 2008 national census to those of the South Kordofan census of 2010.

The debate about the number of affected people was the only remaining obstacle to agreement, Suleiman contended. The chairman of the government team asserted that the number of people requiring assistance in areas controlled by the rebels in South Kordofan is approximately 40,000 – 50,000 people.

Notably the opposition quoted 350,000 people as having been affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis

Dr. Suleiman also objected to rumored air drops into rebel-held territory ongoing without the consent of the Sudanese government. He said that the government has information confirming the involvement of foreign organizations in carrying out aid air drops in areas controlled by rebel forces in South Kordofan. In addition he insinuated some foreign organizations are illegally delivering relief materials across international borders to areas occupied by rebel forces.

The UN recorded that those who fled to South Sudan from South Kordofan exceeds 170,000 , in addition to the 130,000 who sought refuge in areas controlled by the Khartoum government who are still receiving needed humanitarian assistance.

The agreement on international aid was first signed in early August between Sudan and the ‘tripartite’ partners United Nations, Arab League and African Union.

Further, in the Blue Nile, the chairman of the Khartoum government side said that the number does not exceed 15,000 people in the three regions of Yabus, Sally, and Doka.