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New York - 1 Jun 2012

Situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile is deteriorating and 'extremely dire'

The United Nations Security Council expressed its deep concerns on Thursday over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile state.

Aid organizations have requested permission to work with the populations suffering from the violent clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan People Liberation Movement –North. The Sudanese government, however, does not allow access to the organizations.

Khartoum has refused access since fighting began in South Kordofan in June 2011, as the authorities say ‘rebel fighters’ will benefit from the humanitarian assistance.

The Security Council welcomed the withdrawal of the armies of Sudan and South Sudan from the disputed Abyei region. The Council repeated the resolution adopted on May 2, stating that negotiations between Sudan and South Sudan should be continued and that sanctions will follow if these demands would be ignored.

Susan Rice, the United States Representative to the United Nations, said she believed already some improvements were made between Sudan and South Sudan relations after May 2. But the situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile state, she said in a press statement, remains extremely dire and tense.

She referred to an increasing amount of children suffering from acute malnutrition. Rice encouraged the Sudans to remain engaged in peace talks and stressed the importantce of a complete withdrawal of Sudanese troops, including police forces.