srra 5th report july-december 2014

8/9/2019 SRRA 5th Report July-December 2014

1/25

Sudan Relief And Rehabilitation Agency (SRRA)

Humanitarian and Human rights situation of the internally displaced

persons (IDPs) and war affected civilians in the SPLM/A-N con-trolled areas of South Kordofan/Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile

states of Sudan

Six monthly report

Fifth issue

July December 2014

People moving from SPLM/A-N controlled areas in Blue Nile to the refugee camps in South Sudan

of1 25


2/25

1. Introduction

For more than three years the Sudanese states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile havebeen the scene of intense war between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan

Peoples Liberation Army-North (SPLA-N). The conflict, which began in June 2011,

has inflicted a heavy toll on civilians living in the two areas. They have had to endure

heavy aerial bombardments, which resulted in mass casualties. Their farming and

food production, their key livelihoods, have been seriously disrupted.

During 2014, the Government of Sudan (GoS) scaled up its military offensives. Be-

tween June and November 2014, the two areas saw an upsurge of indiscriminate aerial

bombardments that led to mass casualties and displacements, with many families flee-

ing from their households and taking refuge in foxholes and caves. Recently, civilianinfrastructures, including farming plots, grain stores, health facilities, schools and wa-

ter points, have been targeted, further harming this already vulnerable population.

GoS is clearly intent on its citizens, forcing them to flee to neighbouring countries. In

pursuit of this appalling policy the Government continues to deny access to indepen-

dent international humanitarian organizations and United Nations agencies to the war-

affected areas. This applies to areas under SPLM/A-N and GoS control.

Despite the numerous rounds of talks in Ethiopia under the auspices of the African

Union high level implementation level (AUHIP), SPLM/A-N and GoS have not been

able to reach a negotiated settlement on a cessation of hostilities, humanitarian accessor on political and security arrangements. With humanitarian indicators show the de-

terioration of the situation on the ground, it is a matter of urgency that the upcoming

round of talks between GoS and SPLM-N, planned for January 2015, make an agree-

ment on a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access a priority. This needs to be

resolved before any other issue is discussed.

The Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SRRA) was established in June 2011 as

the humanitarian wing of the SPLM-N. Its mission is to lead all humanitarian inter-

ventions in SPLM/A-N controlled areas in Sudan and to address the emerging human-

itarian and human rights situation in a timely and effective manner. The objective ofthe agency is moreover to inform and sensitize the international community to the

plight of the war affected IDPs and refugees in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states

and to mobilize the material resources needed to support them. The SRRA works to

ensure that the humanitarian access to the two areas is granted by GoS.

This fifth SRRA six monthly report covers the period of July - December 2014. It is

intended to shed light on the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States and hu-

man rights and humanitarian consequences for the IDPs and vulnerable citizens in the

SPLM/A-N held areas. It is based on assessments and observations collected from

refugees and IDPs in the two states. Notwithstanding the obvious difficulties involvedin obtaining information from the conflict zones, the SRRA teams on the ground, in-

of2 25


3/25

cluding local NGOs trained and deployed throughout the controlled areas, are work-

ing hard to bring accurate data and make visible the scale of atrocities and the suffer-

ing that civilians are facing. A lot of effort on capacity building is still required to

produce more regular, efficient and professional reports.

2. The security and human rights situation in the Two Areas

a. The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and SPLA-N ground attacks

During the period July-December 2014 hostilities and ground attacks escalated in

South Kordofan State (SKS) and Blue Nile State (BNS), especially in eastern, western

and southern Kadugli and Delami in SKS and Baw county in BNS. These offensives

resulted in the displacement of more than 40,906 people from Kadugli and around

10,989people within the SPLM/A-N controlled Blue Nile, the wide spread destruc-tion of villages, water points and the killing of animals. This surge in violence comes

despite the Governments commitment to the so-called National Dialogue with op-

position parties including the armed movements and as it engages with the SPLM/A-

N for peaceful resolution of the conflict.

The trend of the military hostilities and ground attacks can best be highlighted as fol-

lows:

The SPLA-N of Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) forces in Blue Nile state raid-

ed two SAF garrisons on 18-21/11/014. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the gov-

ernment forces, both in terms of men and equipment. The raid was in retaliation for

the aerial bombardment of civilians in Chali and Yabus payams. On 18/11/014 the

SPLA-N forces raided Bek reserve forces military camp North-West of the In-

gasana hills and managed to destroy one mounted land cruiser vehicle and inflict

many casualties among the forces. On 21/11/014 the SPLA-N forces raided Abu-

garn area, 30 km from Damazin town, and controlled it for several hours. 4 SAF

were killed and 3 others wounded. On 22/11/014 in Gaglu village, an ambush was

set to the SPLA-N withdrawing forces from Abu-garn. After heavy fight, one

SPLA-N soldier was captured by SAF.

On 1/12/2014, the SPLA-N repulsed SAF forces and militias who launched sponta-neous attacks on positions in Lofo in Kadugli county and Elehemer in Buram coun-

ty in South Kordofan.

On 8/12/2014, the SPLA-N repulsed another SAF forces and militias attack who

attacked two SPLA-N defended locations in South-West Kadugli. The SPLA-N cap-

tured 2 mounted land cruiser vehicles, 1 MAN truck, 5 pieces of 12.7 MG and 2

pieces of SPG-9 rocket launcher. During the same period the SPLA-N simultane-

ously attacked SAF garrisons of Daldako, 12 Km from Kadugli, and El Ruseiries,

17 Km from Kadugli, and captured one T55 Tank and destroyed one, captured

one Zu-23 mounted, one Ural truck and one Jeep.

of3 25


4/25


5/25

There have been reports of heavy shelling by the SAF as well. This includes shelling

of predominantly civilian areas, especially during ground attacks around Kadugli and

Kurmuk areas. Preliminary reports have recorded countless shells which have killed

and injured civilians and destroyed houses.

Table 1: Aerial bombardment in South Kordofan July-December 2014

Date Location Bombs Aircraft Killed Injured

1/7/2014 Tangal/umdorein county 6 Antinov 1woman -

12/7/2014 Nyukur/sabat/delami county 10 Antinov - 2 women

7/7/2014 Tabala,Frandalla/Buram county 8 Antinov - -

17/7/2014 Umheitan/Delami county Shooting o fmilitias

S h o o t i n gofmilitias

- -

1/8/2014 Umsirdiba/umdorein county 12 Antinov - -

7/8/2014 Tangal/umdorein county 2 Antinov 1woman -

7/8/2014 Frandalla/umdorein county 4 Antinov - 1 man

7/8/2014 Taballa/umdorein county 4 Antinov - -

12/8/2014 Abri/Delami county 5 Antinov - 1 man

12/8/2014 Sabat/Delami county 3 Antinov - -

12/8/2014 Tunguli/Delami county 3 Antinov - -

12/8/2014 Sabat/Delami county 2 Antinov - -

17/8/2014 Umheitan/Delami county shoting militia - -

5/9/2014 Tasse/Alabbassya/new tegali 7 Antinov - 1 man

8/9/2014 Alabo/umdorein county 8 Antinov - 5 kids

9/10/2014 Alnugra/umdorein county 4 Antinov - -

10/10 Umsirdiba/umdorein county 5 Antinov/Jet

- -

10/10 Umsirdiba/umdorein county 3rockets shihab - -

16/10 Heiban town/heiban county 4 Antinov 7 people 1 child

21/10 Heiban town/heiban county 8 Antinov - -

26/10 Karkaraya/atmour/umdorein C 9 Antinov - 2 persons

6/11 Andona/Dellami county 13 Antinov 1woman 4 persons

10/11 Sabbat/Dellami county 13 Antinov - -

of5 25


6/25

Source: SRRA tracking of aerial bombardment in SKS July-December 2014

11/11 Tunguli/Dellami county 16 Antinov - -

11/11 SarafNiela/heiban county - Antinov - -

12/11 Nyakma/heiban county 2 Antinov 1woman 1 woman

12/11 Heiban/heiban county 11 Antinov - 1 person

13/11 Kauda/heiban county - Antinov - -

13/11 Nyakma/Heiban county 6 Antinov - -

15/11 Tanasa/Buram county - Antinov - -

15/11 Kumbur/Heiban county 8 Antinov 1woman -

15/11 Frandalla/Buram county 9 antinov - -

17/11 Tunguli/Dellami county 17 antinov 1 person -

19/11 Sabat/Delami county 4 Antinov - -20/11 Sarafaya/Delami county 10 antinov - -

23/11 Tabala,alnugra,tangal and towu/Omdorein county

8 Antinov - -

26/11 Tunguli,Deri /Delami county 12 Antinov - -

28/11 Deri,Sabat/delami county - Antinov - -

7/12 Kadugli town shells S P L M / Nshelling

1woman

2persons

10/12 Jugba,kamari dilling county 9 Antinov - -

11/12 Kalandi/Habila county shells S A Fshelling

- -

15/12 Farshaya,salara/dilling county shells S A Fshelling

- -

15/12 Kujuria/dilling county shooting

militia 6 people -

20/12 Kacha/kadugli county 12 A n t i n o v /Mig

1 child 5children

24/12 Buram town/buram county 38 A n t i n o v /Mig

- 1 7people

24/12 Angolo/Buram county 2 Antinov 1 child1woman

1 person

Total 297 23 43

of6 25


7/25

Graph 1: Aerial bombing trends in Southern Kordofan, July-December 2014

A village in SKS destroyed by the bombing

Table 2: Aerial bombardment in Blue Nile July-December 2014

0

35

70

105

140

July August september october November December

Series 1Column2Column1

of7 25


8/25

Date Location Bombs Aircraft Killed Injured

20/9/2014 Ora/kurmuk county 2 Antinov - -

21/9/2014 Bei/kurmuk county 2 Antinov - -

25/9/2014 Abengaro/Kurmuk county 2 Antinov - -

25/9/2014 Ora/kurmuk county 4 Antinov - -

25/9/2014 Chali/kurmuk county 2 Antinov - -

25/9/2014 Mofu/kurmuk county 4 Antinov - -

25/9/2014 Mayak/kurmuk county 8 Antinov - -

25/9/2014 Samari/kurmuk county 2Antinov

- -

25/9/2014 Tunfona/kurmuk county 4 Antinov - 4 men

19/10 Yabus/kurmuk county - Antinov - -

10/11 Chali alfil/bei /kurmuk

county

- Antinov - -

10/11 Samari/kurmuk county - Antinov - -

10/11 Ora/kurmuk county - Antinov - -

11/11 Yabus kobri/kurmuk county 4 Antinov - -

12/11 Khor to mbak/kurmuk county - Antinov - -

12/11 Yabus gaba/kurmuk county 4 Antinov 1

woman

1 woman

12/11 Aljundi/kurmuk county - Antinov - -

12/11 Pinamayo/kurmuk county 8 Antinov - -

12/11 Mayak/kurmuk county 4 Antinov - -

12/11 Mofu/kurmuk county 5 Antinov - -

21/11 Yabus kobri/kurmuk county 4 Antinov - -

21/11 Ora/kurmuk county 4 Antinov - -

21/11 Chali alfil/kurmuk county 8 Antinov - -

21/11 Mofu/kurmuk county 2 Antinov

23/11 Yabus/kurmuk county 4 Antinov 1 child 3 persons

23/11 Ora/kurmuk county 2 Antinov - -

of8 25


9/25

Source:SRRA tracking of aerial bombing in blue Nile July -December 2014

Graph 2: Aerial bombing trends in Blue Nile, July-December 2014

c. Human rights violations

Continuos violations of fundamental rights and liberties in Sudan are committed by

the Government forces. These atrocities take place despite the obligations of the GOS

to respect the humanitarian and international laws that it has signed and the treaty

obligations that it has incurred.

Aware of these grave human rights violations, and pursuant to its 456 thmeeting held

on 12th September 2014, the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC)

23/11 Mayak/kurmuk county 1 Antinov - -

23/11 Muffo/kurmuk county 2 Antinov - -

17/12 ChaliAlfil/Kurmuk county 3 Antinov -

17/12 Samari/Kurmuk county 2 Antinov -

17/12 Balila/Kurmuk county 3 Antinov - 1 woman

17/12 mofu/Kurmuk county 4 Antinov - -

17/12 mayak/Kurmuk county 3 Antinov - -

total 79 2 9

0

15

30

45

60

July August September October November December

Series 1Column2Column1

of9 25


10/25

recommended, among other resolutions, the immediate commitment of the Sudanese

stakeholders to the establishment of a conducive environment for the holding of the

national dialogue. The Council encouraged the Government to expedite its efforts to-

wards implementing the agreed confidence building measures including:

(1) The release of all political detainees and prisoners.

(2) The adoption and implementation of all necessary steps to ensure political free-

doms and full guarantee of the freedom of expression and publication including by

enacting the necessary legislation to give effect to these freedoms.

(3) Ensuring that the judiciary will be the only institution to adjudicate matters relat-

ing to the exercise of the freedom of expression and publication with no resort to

extraordinary measures.

The GOS has paid scant regard to this appeal. In the wake of the 3rd December 2014

Sudan Call, signed by Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), Umma Party, the National

Consensus Forces (NCF) and the Sudanese civil society initiative, the State security

forces arrested Faroug Abu Eisa, head of NCF, Dr. Amin Mekki Madani, chairman of

the Sudanese Civil Society Initiative, and Farah Agar, a technical expert for SPLM-N

in the negotiations, upon their return to Khartoum. They join hundreds of other politi-

cal prisoners who remain under detention. Sadiq al Mahdi, head of Umma party, re-

mains in exile in Egypt.

The ongoing human rights violations include assaults on the freedom of the press and

freedom of association, torture, unlawful arrest and detention of government policy

opponents. More than 119 of political dissidents from SKS are still detained without

trial in different parts of Sudan under the supervision of the National Intelligence and

Security Service (NISS).Some political detainees are held in harsh conditions in de-

tention facilities run by NISS or the Military Intelligence. Some of these detainees are

held for prolonged periods without judicial purview and in violations of existing Su-

danese laws, which set a specific period of time during which the security forces can

detain people.

The Special Criminal Court in Sinja, Sennar state in March 2014 issued death sen-

tences against 17 members of the SPLM-N in absentia, including its Chairperson Mr.

Malik Agar and Secretary General Mr. Yasir Arman. Forty-six other co-defendantswere sentenced to life imprisonment while 31 defendants were acquitted. These peo-

ple were convicted for their political beliefs. They were accused of launching a war

against the state and committing terrorist activities. The court proceedings were be-

lieved to be flawed and did not meet the minimum standards for fair trial.

of10 25


11/25

3. Humanitarian situation for the population

a. Fresh displacements and trapped civilians

Two rounds of talks between the belligerent parties in November and December 2014

failed to make any significant progress on granting humanitarian access in the TwoAreas, despite high expectations that this would be achieved. The positions of the two

Parties were divergent and they were therefore unable to bridge their differences.

In the meantime the humanitarian situation has deteriorated. Intensive aerial bom-

bardments and ground attacks have culminated in wide spread internal displacement

of the population. As of 15 January 2015, there are nearly 1,396,761 people in the

conflict-affected areas of SKS and 98,003 in BNS. In SKS, an estimated 466,630

civilians have been forced from their homes. They are now living with other host vil-

lages and a total of 528,323are vulnerable people. In Blue Nile, an estimated 79,550

are internally displacedand 88,781 are vulnerable persons.

Internally displaced children in search of protection in the caves of Nuba Mountains, 2014

GoS offensives during April 2014 displaced people in Rashad, Abbasya and Delami

counties, for a total of over 116,000new IDPS towards the end of 2014. The IDPs to

date face desperate situations in terms of food, medical supplies, water and shelter.

Early April 2014 SAF troops ground attacked Suq-aljabel village of Abassiaya

county displacing nearly 8,000people.

The heavy fighting in Troje, Dabakaya and Angolo in Buram county between SAF

and SRF displaced 175 households to Dar and Tabanya.

of11 25


12/25

SAF offensive in Rashad county during April 2014 targeted mostly civilian vil-

lages. The total people displaced was estimated to be over 70,000people from the

villagesof Tomi, Tangaltu, Al-Mansur, Kaluba, Kalloro, Tarawa, Tindimin, Tajilbo

and Zalataya.In total 52 villages have been burned living people without shelter

and food. 37 boreholes and wells have also been damaged in 13 villages, 4 in Al-frasha, 3 in Aldeen, 2 in Ardeiba, 4 in Aburish, 4, in Alnansour, 3 in Toma, 2 in

Tarawa, 3 in Tendimin, 4 in Zalataya, 3,in Almanzalla, 3 in Tagilbo and 2 in Alm-

zlagan.

During April 2014, SAF assaulted Abri in Delami county and displaced around

20,000people from the villages of Dere, Temo and Merdese.

The new military confrontations between SAF/ RSF and SPLA-N in Um-Dorein

and Buram counties and around Kadugli in late December 2014 added significant

numbers of new IDPs, like 5,400 people (900 HHs) from Daldoko, East of

Kadugli, 840people from Unshuran in Buram County, and more than 600peoplefrom Miri payam in Kadugli West.

Table 3: Population and IDPS in SPLM/A-N controlled ares in South Kordofan

S/

N

County/Locality

Payam/Admin/ Unit

Sub total Totalpopulation

Vulnerablepeoples

InternallyDisplaced

persons

1 Heiban Alazreg 37,397

Heiban 33,964

Kauda 57,659

Umdrudu 54,112

Dabi 31,513 214645 90722 68285

2 Tolodi Warni 07,500 3614 9656

Longan 02,713

Angarto 03,465

Umdogi 03,093 16771

3- Dilling Almandal 50,562

Alfarshaya 50,446

Sallara 61,360

Julud 85,632 248000 114332 70821

4- Lagawa Alshua 4,3055

Alarak 29,337

Tima/Tulushi 41,198 113590 64370 30129

of12 25


13/25

5- Abassiaya/newTagali

Morieb 29,613

Toralmajaj 33,721

Catoria 28,431 91765 17099 23720

6- Alsonot Alsonot 07,463

Aldabakar 04,381 11852 6567 3890

7- Rashad Tome 09,433

Tere 07,816

Tajilibo 05751 23000 2644 17825

8- Abujubeiha Fungur 09,631

Kaw 41311

Nyaro 12,673 36615 4635 13979

9- Buram Shadtamam 08500

Katcha 11400

Farrandalla 21600

Shat safia 08500

Alrieka 19500

Alburam 34500

Toroje 37,000

Angolo 09186

Fama 07,000 157186 43220 38249

10 EasternRural

Doldoko 18,892

Kush 01274

Abusafifa 01148 21314 10000 11314

11 Umndorian Tangal 57,200

Umndulu 34,200

Umandorian 25,500

Saref Jamous 43,900

Kaya 24,200 185000 78110 56821

12 Kiliek East& SouthKeilak

007,541 7541 2523 3272

13 Dallami Dallami 12,048

of13 25


14/25

Source:SRRA assessment of population in SKS SPLM/A-N held areas

In Blue Nile, an estimated population of 98,000people remains inside the SPLM/A-Ncontrolled areas and nearly 79,550are internally displaced, as per the table below.

Table 5: Internally displaced population in Blue Nile

Tunguli 22,040

Abre 17,690

Umheidan 14,040

Sabbat 23,151 88969 18250 42158

14 Habbila Hajarjuad 29,760

Kurkul 14940 48700 14045 18204

15 AlGoz Algoz south 34,403

Algoz West 28,699 61102 32112 17401

16 Kaduguli Kurungo 25,130

Mirre 17,677

Kadugli 13,786Kaika 14,118 70711 26080 40906

Total 1396761 528323 466630

S/N County/

Locality

Payam/

AdminUnit

Subtotal Total

population

IDPs Vulnerable

population

1- Kurmuk Kurmuk

Wadaga

Tanfona

Chali

Yabus

4,234

16,723

9,719

9,309

29,10069,085 51,469 60,000

2- Baw Baw

Room

Mountains

5,027

3,654

15,00023,681 23,400 23,400

3- Tadamon Gozsamina 2,381 2,381 2,381 2,381

of14 25


15/25

Source: SRRA assessment of population in Blue Nile SPLM/N held Areas

In Blue Nile massive movements were seen within the SPLM/A-N controlled areas

and from refugees camps in Maban, South Sudan. This was due to shortages of food

and the tense security situation among the host community, as well as threats of

SPLM-IO attacks from Bout SAF garrison in north Blue Nile. Some refugees moved

to SPLM/A-N controlled areas to look for gold and earn money in the areas of Yabus

Balla and Abengaro.

Table 4: IDPs to SPLM/A-N controlled areas of Blue Nile on July-December 2014

4- Others Qeissan,

Eastern

Rosaires

2,856 2,856 2,300 3,000

Total 98,003 79,550 88,781

Came from Moved to Reason Total number

Yabus Balla Abengaro in YabusGabah Boma

Hiding in the bushfor fear of aerial

bombardments

362

Oss Abengaro in YabusGabah Boma

60

Moguf Abengaro in Yabus

Gabah Boma

345

Sonda Abengaro in YabusGabah Boma

336

Mayak Abengaro in YabusGabah Boma

372

Belatoma Abengaro in YabusGabah Boma

173

Mayak In the bush 1250

Mofu In the bush 73

Ora/Amerorayo In the bush 94

Yabus Bala In the bush 99

Yabus Kobori In the bush 18

Doro Abengaro 786

Tongo Abengaro 388

Yabus Gabah In the bush 371

Doro Chali/wadaka Returnees to villages 3812

of15 25


16/25

Source: SRRA Blue Nile

b. Humanitarian situation in Southern Kordofan

The intensified aerial bombardments during December 2014 had a distinctly negative

impact on the essential agricultural activities in the harvesting season and on food se-

curity as a whole. Despite this years relatively good harvest, thousands of IDPs inDelami, Rashad, Elabasaya and Umdorein counties were food insecure. The majority

of health facilities had limited medical supplies and trained medical personnel, the

education environment is poor, educational materials are scarce. The majority of vol-

untary teachers are not trained, most of the boreholes need repair. The priority needs

are food, medical supplies and education.

In the western side of South Kordofan/Nuba Mountains, including Lagawa, Dilling,

Alsonut and Habila counties, the situation remains fairly stable, with no reported dis-

placement and no frequently reported aerial bombing or ground attacks affecting

civilians. Almost all residents in the western counties of South Kordofan suffer from

limited access to medicine which is available only from cross border markets. There is

a lack of functional health clinics, the widespread breakdown of water points, a lack

of access to spare parts, high local food prices resulting from cross line trade, limited

seed availability, and lack of animal health inputs to treat livestock diseases. Prices for

basic food commodities have reportedly increased quite sharply during July-Sep-

tember 2014 due to limited movements of traders to peace markets as a result of

heavy rains.

Sammari Khor Bashum 1200

Mayak In the bush 1250

Total 10989

of16 25


17/25

Displacement of population in the Nuba Mountains

Health

Access to health services is generally poor in the SPLM/A-N held areas of South Ko-rdofan/Nuba Mountains, despite the efforts of local organizations to deliver medical

services. There is a clear shortage of medical supplies, equipment, and health person-

nel. The referral system is limited to three rural hospitals in Heiban and Buram coun-

ties. There have been limited vaccination for children under 5 years since 2011 as a

result communicable diseases have been wide spread such as measles and yellow

fever. There was serious escalation of measles in Heiban and Um Dorein counties that

had been reported in October and November 2014. The severe shortage of essential

drugs, medicines and vaccines for children and pregnant women remains a serious

concern. The western part of the Nuba Mountains is cut off from health services.

Table 6: Statistics of health facilities and personnel in SKS

Health facilities Medical personnel

Counties Rural

hospit

als

P H C

Cs

PHCU

s

Tota

l

D r

s

M

As

N u r

se

Lab

Tec

h

Mid

w i v

es

C H

W

Tota

l

1- Heiban 2 6 37 45 2 8 23 7 55 112 207

2- Buram 1 5 17 23 1 3 9 3 26 63 105

of17 25


18/25

Source: SPLM-N state Secretariat of health

Water and Sanitation

Generally water sources in South Kordofan/Nuba Mountains are limited surface water

and some boreholes. There is high need for both human and animal water in the dry

season.In Um Dorein county, 76 out of 128 boreholes were reported as not function-

ing due to lack of spare parts, breakdowns and a failure to carry out repairs. In Habila,

Lagawa and Alsonut counties the relative number of functioning water yards and

working hand pumps is slightly better, but demand for repairs of water yards remains

high. Across South Kordofan, civilians continue to rely on water holes and stagnant

rain surface water to meet their drinking and cooking needs. There is a need for re-pairs of the few available boreholes across the whole of the Nuba Mountains.

Education

Despite the fact that some community run schools are operating throughout SPLM/A-

N held areas, there is severe shortage of scholastic materials, trained teachers and

poor school environment. The lack of proper education is one of the major crises of

the current conflict in the Two Areas. Presently there are over 179 primary schools in

the Nuba Mountains some of them are already at primary eight, and more than 900

pupils to date have sat for the certificates of primary education. One secondary schooloperates in Yida refugee camp with a total intake of 250 pupils. An education work-

3- Delami - 3 10 13 - 4 4 2 20 42 72

4- Dilling - 7 18 25 - 7 7 5 26 52 97

5- Lagawa - 3 9 12 - 3 8 2 11 23 47

6New,tegal - 1 4 5 - 2 2 1 6 18 29

7- Rashad - 1 2 3 - 1 2 1 2 13 19

8- Western

Kadugli

- 4 16 20 - 3 4 2 24 42 75

9- Habiela - 1 2 4 - 1 5 - 5 8 19

10-

Umdorein

- 5 22 25 - 4 7 3 32 66 112

11- TAlodi - 1 2 4 - 1 2 1 3 7 14

12Abugeb

eaha

- 1 2 3 - 1 2 1 3 9 16

Total 3 39 140 182 3 38 75 28 213 455 812

of18 25


19/25

shop was organized in SKS on 8 November to discuss education challenges and the

way foreword. It was agreed that education is a top priority for the population.

A community run school under a rock for fear of aerial bombardment in the Nuba Mountains

Table 7: School enrollement and teachers in the Nuba Mountains.

S/

NO

COUNTIE

S

No.of

schools

BOY

S

GIRL

S

TOTA

L

Teachers

Male

Teachers

Female

Total

Teachers

1- Heiban 72 7307 7625 14932 335 108 443

2- Omdorein 23 3828 2923 06751 157 015 175

3- Delami 10 1935 1687 03622 042 009 051

4- Buram 09 0448 0296 00744 023 001 024

5- Dilling 43 4581 2859 07440 222 011 233

6- Lagawa 08 1027 0998 02025 049 003 052

7- Rashad 07 0749 0926 01675 016 024 040

8- Abassya 07 0838 0981 01819 014 022 036

9- West

kadugli

of19 25


20/25

Source: SPLM-N State Secretariat of education

c. Humanitarian situation in Blue Nile

The household food security, medical supplies and support to education remains the

biggest challenge facing resident and IDP households all across the SPLM-N con-

trolled areas in Blue Nile. The significant challenge is the extreme shortage of food

and seeds for cultivation. People live on roots collected from the forests. The situation

is particularly critical in the areas of Baw and in Wadaka and Chali, also a as a resultof widespread insecurity and aerial bombardment and immediate action should be

taken to protect the civilians.

Health

There is some rudimentary health services with limited availability of medicines by

local organizations,Ten primary health clinics in Kurmuk County (3 in Wadaka, 1 in

Chali Alfil and 6 in Yabus payams) that are operated at the local level were reported to

have minimal or no essential medicines, an especially frustrating situation for people

who walk up to 8 hours to obtain diagnosis and treatment. There is a strong reliance

on traditional healers and traditional herbs and medicines. Higher incidents of malar-

ia, watery diarrhoea, pain and coughing were prevalent.

Water sources

The scarcity and the poor quality of water in SPLM/A-N controlled Blue Nile is also

a major cause of water born illnesses and deaths. Water sources are largely surface

water with some boreholes that are functioning in Yabus and Chali Alfil payams and

villages of Mayak and Mofu. A lot of boreholes need repairin Tunfona and Goz for

both human and animal clean water. In Tamfona, women have to walk up to 4 hours

to fetch water.

Education

The level of education in BNS is particularly low, and it protracts from the second

civil war, with a considerable amount of the population that has never been to school,

especially women. As the conflict started in BNS, all schools closed. Since 2013 there

are five community volunteer run schools in Yabus payam, supported by 16 volunteer

teachers for around 900 pupils. However the schools lack of trained teachers, school

materials and good school environment. The local government is aiming at opening

10- Habila

Total 0179 20713 18295 39008 858 193 1051

of20 25


21/25

five new community run primary schools in other villages. The new schools will re-

quire trained teachers, school materials, plastic sheeting and school feeding.

4. Expanding refugee crisis

a. Yida and Ajoung Thok refugees from south Kordofan in Unity state

The daily aerial bombardments and ground attacks in South kordofan/Nuba Moun-

tains and Blue Nile in the last six months have expedited ex-flux of the populations

especially IDPs to neighbouring South Sudan and Ethiopia. Figures of refugees con-

tinue to increase on daily basis as of mid January.

The population of refugees in Yida and Ajuong Thok is presently 86,570 in two

camps; 71,982 refugees with ration cards plus over 3,000 refugees without ration

cards in Yida camp, and 14,0588in Ajoung Thok all with ration cards, according to

the UNHCR reports. The refugees are still coming and going back to Nuba Moun-

tains, during the distribution times. There is regular distribution of food and medical

services by UNHCR, WFP, Unicef, MSFs, IRC, SP and other organizations. Children

under 5 years were also vaccinated.

However there are no education services in Yida camp nearly 30,000 children have no

access to education, the four primary schools are run voluntarily by the refugee com-

munity and one secondary school is also run by an NGO, in Ajoung thok Unicef sup-

ports schooling in the camp.

Insecurity created by the conflict in South Sudan has interrupted land access to

refugee camps. To date security is normal but fears of attacks by SPLM-IO among the

refugees is tangible.

Over 3,000 IDPs from Kao Nyaro and Werni have assembled in Kodok in Upper Nile

but have no formal assistance as they have not been recognized by UNHCR. They

receive random assistance by local church, ICRC, World vision, MSFs and SP.

b. Refugees from Blue Nile in Maban county-Upper Nile state

An estimated 172,828 have moved from Blue Nile due to ground attacks and aerial

bombardments to South Sudan and Ethiopia nearly 131,091 have crossed to South

Sudan and have taken refuge in Maban county of Upper Nile state (50,038in Doro,

40,148in Yusif Batil, 21,860in Kaya and 17,923in Gendarassa). 41,737more are in

Ethiopia camped in Tango, Bambasi, Sherkoleand Ashura. This is according to the

latest records of UNHCR and the refugee community administrations.

The conflict in South Sudan has aggravated the situation of Blue Nile refugees in Ma-

ban county, but now food distribution has improved. Regular return of refugees was

observed due to shortage of food in the camps as well as the tension between the

of21 25


22/25

refugees and the host community and the circulated rumours of attacks by SPLM-IO.

Insecurity in Upper Nile has also limited road access to refugee camps.

Over twenty primary schools operate with limited materials and trained teachers.

The living conditions of the refugees in Ethiopia are dire and more investigationshould be conducted.

5. The political negotiations between GOS and SPLM-N

The resumption of AUHIP facilitated peace negotiations in Addis Ababa during 12-18

November 2014 provided some early andsmall indications of a positive movement

towards a cessation of hostilities and possible progress for improved humanitarian

access. However as the talks progressed, it became evident that the Parties remained

as far apart as ever on a political agreement to end the conflict. Both rounds of talksthat have taken place between the belligerent parties in November 2014 failed to

make any significant progress on negotiations of humanitarian access in the Two Ar-

eas. Despite the AUPSC resolution of 12th September 2014 of the 456th meeting that

encouraged negotiations on cessation of hostilities, immediately leading to a compre-

hensive security arrangements agreement.

While GOS insisted on a comprehensive ceasefire as a package of complete security

arrangements the SPLM-N, on the other hand, proposed a cessation of hostilities in

order to address the humanitarian situation in the Two Areas and Darfur as well as

creating a more favorable environment for concluding negotiated agreements on thepolitical and security issues.

The talks between the Government of Sudan and the SPLM-N resumed again, as ex-

pected, on 5th December and continued for three days. The negotiations adjourned

without any progress towards an agreement. The AUHIP ended the round of talks be-

tween the GoS and SPLM-N indicating that the panel will consult bilaterally and in-

vite the parties for another round of negotiations, expected to be early in January

2015.

The Darfur peace trackalso started in Addis Ababa on 23rd November 2014, pro-viding an opportunity for one peace process with two tracks facilitated by the AUHIP

aimed at ending war in the whole of Sudan. The Darfur talks adjourned on 27 No-

vember without agreement on the agenda.

Despite the disappointing negotiations three events took place during the latest talks

that have contributed positively to the peace process namely:-

1. The African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHP) for Sudan and

South Sudan, chaired by the former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, com-

pleted a visit to Sudan, which began 17th August 2014. The visit falls within its

mandate, which requires the Panel to assist in the democratic transformation of

Sudan. The Panel was in Sudan to continue its consultations with Sudanese stake-

of22 25


23/25

holders on the National Dialogue announced by President Bashir on 27th January

2014 to discuss various issues of concern to the Sudanese people. This visit was a

follow-up of the Panel's initial visit on this issue in May 2014. During its visit, the

Panel held consultations with the Government. The Panel also met with the Seven

+ Seven National Dialogue committee, which provided it with a Roadmap for thedialogue. The AUHIP also carried out discussions with a broad spectrum of politi-

cal parties and civil society groups, including prominent Sudanese, women, press,

religious leaders and youth. This exercise enabled the Panel to receive numerous

views on the national dialogue process. The Panel said that it is encouraged by the

unanimous view amongst all the players on the urgent need for an inclusive and

genuine national dialogue, as the only way of addressing the serious challenges

facing the country. The AUHIP will urgently consider the views it has received

during the visit in order to respond to all of the Sudanese stakeholders. The Panel

did not visit the Two Areas.

2. In August 2014 the Paris declaration was signed between Umma party and SRF.

The declaration addressed, in full transparency and constructive criticism, the past

experiences in Sudan and affirmed the desire of the Sudanese people for a bright

future which will not be attained without the unity of the democratic alternative

forces and the mobilization of forces of change in order to stop the war, provide

security for the Sudanese citizens, specially the internally displaced and refugees

in order to return to their original home, comprehensive democratic change and the

establishment of the state based on citizens equality. Moreover, the meeting dis-

cussed how to end the suffering and improve the deteriorated living condition of

Sudanese people. It also encouraged campaigns to reveal the magnitude of corrup-

tions in Sudan and to consider how to return stolen capital and assets to the Sudan

treasury. At the conclusion of the meetings, the parties agreed on how to end the

current war, public freedoms and democratic transformation, unity of the forces of

change the conflict in south Sudan and the relations with neighbouring countries

and the international community.

3. The AUPSC at its 456thmeeting held on 12thSeptember 2014 adopted the follow-

ing decision on the progress report of AUHIP for Sudan.

The council recalls its earlier pronouncements on the need for a holistic approach

to the challenges facing Sudan and fully supports the coordinated effort to addressnational issues as well as the situations in the two areas and in Darfur within a

common framework. Welcomes the speech made by president Omer Hassan al -

Bashir of Sudan on 27th January 2014 outlining the framework for national dia-

logue based on the following agenda, peace and national unity, economy, basic

rights and freedoms, national identity, constitutional review and governance. Wel-

comes the determination of all the components of the people of Sudan to move

forward to achieve a comprehensive, fair and lasting settlement to the armed con-

flicts and other political problems that afflict their nation.

It notes with satisfaction the adoption of the Paris declaration and the road map of

the 7+7 committee on 8thand 9thAugust 2014 and readiness of all parties the reg-istered parties, SPLM/A-N. JEM, SLM-Minawi, SLM Abdel-Wahid to participate

of23 25


24/25

in a common process as expressed in the Addis Ababa agreement of 5 thSeptember

2014 on the principles of national dialogue its objectives and the key steps neces-

sary for the creation of the enabling environment .

Endorses in light of the above, the following steps to ensure harmonized and fo-

cused action by AUHIP in support of the efforts of the Sudanese stakeholders toaddress the issues confronting their country:-

" the negotiations on cessation of hostilities for the two areas and for Darfur

should be conducted in a synchronized manner.

" A meeting of the Sudanese parties to discuss relevant process isssues, in order

to pave the way for the national dialogue should be held at the AU headquar-

ters under the facilitation of AUHIP as requested by the Sudanese stakehold-

ers to ensure that the necessary confidence building are taken, the key steps of

the national dialogue process are fully agreed upon and that the process is fair

and will result in the mutually agreed objectives.

"

Welcomes the commitment of the Sudanese stakeholders immediately to es-tablish a conducive environment for the holding of the national dialogue and

encourages the government to expedite its efforts towards implementing the

agreed confidence building measures including:-

" The release of all political detainees and prisoners.

" The adoption and implementation of all necessary steps to ensure political

freedoms and full guarantee of the freedom of expression and publication in-

cluding by enacting the necessary legislation to give effect to these freedoms.

" Ensuring that the judiciary will be the only institution to adjudicate matters

relating to the exercise of the freedom of expression and publication with no

resort to extraordinary measures." Providing the necessary guarantees for the armed groups freely to participate

in the national dialogue, once the comprehensive ceasefire and security

arrangements agreements have been concluded and facilitating humanitarian

assistance to all populations in war affected areas.

" Urges all Sudanese stakeholders participating in the national dialogue to re-

frain from hate speech and from conducting negative media campaigns

against each other.

4. The Sudan call in December 2014 was hailed by some as an unprecedented politi-

cal declaration. Three prominent political signatories to the call however were arrest-ed upon their return to Khartoum from Addis observing the negotiation process on the

two areas and Darfur.

6. Appeal to the international community

The human rights and humanitarian crisis in South Kordofan/ Nuba Mountains, Blue

Nile and Darfur requires immediate attention and an immediate response. There is a

clear national and international legal obligation to act. The SRRA appeals to the UN

Security Council, the UN Secretary General, the Chairman of IGAD, the chair of theAUHIP, the African Union and the international community at large to:

of24 25


25/25

1. Ensure that the humanitarian situation in Nuba Mountains/Sothern Kordofan and

Blue Nile is given priority in any upcoming direct talks between the GoS and the

SPLM-N.

2. Declare the situation in the two areas as a humanitarian emergency requiring anurgent response from all actors.

3. Require the Government of Sudan to lift restrictions on the delivery of food and

other humanitarian items and to permit UN agencies and independent international

organizations immediate, free and unhindered access to the needy civilians in the

SPLM/N controlled and GOS controlled areas of Nuba Mountains/South Kordofan

and Blue Nile States and Darfur to stave off mass starvation.

4. Press the Government of Sudan to agree to a cessation of hostilities - with regional

and international monitoring mechanism - to allow the delivery of humanitarian

assistance and polio vaccination to the populations and children in the war zones.

5. Deploy an appropriate international and/or regional mechanism that can take careof the humanitarian situation of Sudaneses refugees in the Republic of South Su-

dan without hindering the safety and confidence of the needy refugees.

6. Urge both parties to protect civilians under their respective control and provide

safe corridors for the passage of civilians and humanitarian goods.

7. Consider the most effective means, including airdrops, to access civilians trapped

by ground attacks and lack of roads.

8. Demand that the SAF immediately halts its indiscriminate aerial bombardments

and air strikes against civilian targets in South Kordofan/ Nuba Mountains and

Blue Nile states and Darfur.

9. Urge that relevant national and international authorities conduct independent in-vestigations into allegations of summary executions and detentions and torture on

the basis of ethnic and political affiliations in South Kordofan/ Nuba Mountains

and Blue Nile states and Darfur.

10.Release of all political prisoners and assure the continued safety of those in the

opposition. hundreds of other youth activists and opposition political leaders are

under near constant state security surveillance and face frequent arrest and deten-

tion, among others Faroug abu Eisa of National consensus forces (NCF), Dr Amin

mekki Madani of the civil society initiative and Farah Agar who were arrested in

the wake of signing the December 2014 call for Sudan declaration and remain in

Government custody. Credible national dialogue can only occur once these opposi-tion figures are released.

srra 5th report july-december 2014

Documents