Last month a UN report said the Sudanese army had carried out killings, arbitrary arrests, abductions, attacks on churches and aerial bombardment in the Southern Kordofan region that, if proven, might constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Sudan has already hit back at the accusations, complaining to the UN Security Council that its newly independent neighbor South Sudan is causing instability in Southern Kordofan.
Justice Minister Mohamed Bushara Dosa told the Human Rights Council that it was regrettable that the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), the dominant force in South Sudan, had continued its attacks since independence in July, an event he said was a “real overcoming of the bitterness of the past.”
The government of South Sudan had given logistical and military support to SPLM elements in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile provinces, violating an agreement to withdraw, Dosa said.
“Furthermore support and incitement was given to the forces of the SPLM in the Blue Nile with the rebellion of the governor of the province and launching an attack on the Sudanese army and innocent civilians on Sept 1 this year in another attempt to destabilize the situation in Sudan.”
He said the UN report on Southern Kordofan gave an incorrect picture of events.
“It was based on faulty and distorted information that made the victim of the attack seem to be responsible for the alleged violations, in a biased manner that was condemned on a wide scope, including by persons working for the United Nations on the ground,” he told the 47-member forum.
His remarks came as the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees reported a surge in the number of migrants fleeing to South Sudan from the north. More than 8,000 have fled to escape the fighting in South Kordofan since July.
“We expect more arrivals amid continuing reports of aerial bombing in Southern Kordofan,” UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards told a news briefing. “Reports we have are that air raids have been continuing. That’s the reason people are fleeing.”
Dosa said the onslaught and accusations had not weakened the will of Sudan’s government to work constructively with the UN in the field of human rights.
“In spite of all these challenges the Sudanese government maintained its steadfastness in preferring dialogue as a means to solve problems,” he said.
He cited Khartoum’s efforts to end the crisis in neighboring Darfur as evidence of its goodwill.
