Global human rights monitors, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, are jointly accusing the government of Sudan of carrying out war crimes against the civilian population of Southern Kordofan State. They are also calling on Khartoum to give access to humanitarian aid agencies to reach civilians trapped by the fighting between the Sudan armed forces and Sudan People’s Liberation Army-northern sector, in the state.
The two rights groups released a report Tuesday which gives detailed eye-witness accounts of Sudan military aircraft bombing civilian targets in Southern Kordofan.
Human Rights Watch desk officer for Sudan, Jehanne Henry, said she personally witnessed Sudan armed forces bombing civilians in one village in the Nuba mountains region of the state. She said they also have reports of bombing of civilians continuing after Khartoum declared a unilateral cease-fire in Southern Kordofan.
Henry also said the population in areas controlled by the Sudan People Liberation Army-northern sector, mostly in the Nuba mountains, are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. She warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe in the area.
VOA’s John Tanza reached Jehanne Henry in New York. You can hear his interview by clicking the link below, or at the top right of the page.
