Madam, – Another major humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Sudan. The Khartoum government in advance of the programmed partition on July 9th which was to give independence to Southern Sudan, has for the last week been unleashing indiscriminate attacks on the Nuba people of Southern Kordofan. These attacks by militia and aerial bombardment amount to an ethnic cleansing of the non-Muslim population.
Dozens have been killed over recent days and deprived of their livelihoods, and many human rights abuses have been reported. As I write I have received reports of atrocities on the ground from a non-governmental contact forced to evacuate the area in haste.
The United Nations Mission in Sudan appears to be powerless in its efforts to avert disaster and to provide relief. It is essential that Minister of Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore, exert all pressure possible on the United Nations Security Council to institute a no-fly zone over the Nuba Mountains/Southern Kordofan with immediate effect so that safe corridors can be provided for urgent humanitarian assistance.
This must be followed by intensification of efforts by the UN to promote political stability in Sudan and in particular to ensure the rights of the people of the Nuba Mountains are safeguarded. – Yours, etc,