SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY SADDENED AT DEATHS OF SUDANESE REFUGEES IN ATTACKS ON REFUGEE CAMP IN NORTHERN UGANDA

19 July 1996

Press Release
SG/SM/6022

SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY SADDENED AT DEATHS OF SUDANESE REFUGEES IN ATTACKS ON REFUGEE CAMP IN NORTHERN UGANDA

19960719 Condemns Wanton Murder and Destruction, Urges Uganda to Reinforce Safety Measures

Following is the text of a statement attributable to the Spokesman for Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali:

The Secretary-General was deeply saddened to learn of the death of 107 Sudanese refugees in separate attacks from 12 to 14 July on the Acholi-pii refugee camp near the town of Kitgum in northern Uganda. The victims of these deplorable attacks were mostly women and children. In addition, the attackers looted and burned the refugees' huts, as well as trucks belonging to the World Food Programme (WFP) and to an Italian non-governmental organization, ASVI. A WFP driver is also reported missing.

The Secretary-General condemns these wanton acts of murder and destruction, and urges the Government of Uganda to reinforce measures to ensure the safety and protection of Sudanese refugees in the area. He also hopes that all impediments to the humanitarian relief work in southern Sudan will be removed urgently so that the Sudanese population affected by the ongoing civil war is not forced to leave the country.

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