Secretary-General Urges End to Deadly Fighting in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan State

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the deterioration of the security situation and the escalation of fighting in Southern Kordofan, which has caused the death of many civilians and the displacement of tens of thousands, and put United Nations staff directly at risk.

The Secretary-General urges the parties to immediately cease all hostilities and allow unconditional air and ground access to the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) and the humanitarian agencies to all parts of Southern Kordofan to provide vital assistance to the affected population, and to ensure the safety and security of United Nations staff.

The Secretary-General welcomes the efforts led by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel to help the parties resolve their differences through peaceful political means, and encourages the parties to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

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