The Sudanese government has announced its commitment to enabling and facilitating the return of United Nations (UN) agencies and humanitarian organizations to the contested border Abyei region in order that assistance can once again be provided to residents.

The government further noted, as reported by Sudan’s Al-Sahafa newspaper, that they are currently studying a proposal to cease military operations for one week in rebel-held South Kordofan and Blue Nile states on humanitarian grounds and in accordance with Sudan’s humanitarian plan 2013.

A director in Sudan’s humanitarian commission, Ali Adam, vowed on behalf of the government to work in full cooperation and coordination with international humanitarian partners and dismissed allegations that they are preventing the delivery of aid assistance to beneficiaries within their borders.

He told press in Khartoum yesterday that his government will consider a proposal made in Addis Ababa before negotiations collapsed, calling for a halt to military operations for one week in areas held by the rebel group, SPLM-N.

The plan, in coordination with the ministry of health and UNICEF, will allow the immunization of children in SPLM-N areas. However, Adam claims that the SPLM-N previously failed respond to the initiative, before stressing that the government will confirm within the next few days.

Blue Nile and South Kordofan states have been suffering from civil war since 2012 and 2011, respectively.

File photo: Abyei (Radio Tamazuj)