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SUDAN: Bishop warns of "impending genocide" on north-south border
By John Newton and Reinhard Backes
A Sudanese boy carries the cross
Warnings of a new genocide in Sudan have been issued by a Catholic bishop in the country.
In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need, Bishop Macram Max Gassis of El Obeid diocese warned of further problems in South Kordofan, on the border between north and south Sudan, where there has been fierce fighting since the beginning of June.
He warned: "After Darfur there is now a new impending genocide in Sudan."
Fighting in Sudan's north-south border state of South Kordofan started on 6th June, when the north Sudanese army attacked the state capital, Kadugli, carrying out airstrikes near there and Kauda.
Among the targets were Christian churches and parish centres – one Protestant minister was killed.
Bishop Gassis, whose diocese covers the region, said: "Hundreds of thousands have now fled the area.
"The situation of the people in South Kordofan is extremely critical, especially in the capital, Kadugli".
According to the United Nations, at least 60,000 people have fled the bombing in the region.
The bishop explained that the Nuba people, who are regarded by the north as second-class citizens, are among those hardest hit – both Muslims and Christians.
Observers in the area described the events as a targeted campaign and spoke of "ethnic cleansing".
Many in the oil-rich Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan expressed the view that they should be part of the new country of South Sudan.
The south of Sudan voted by an overwhelming majority for independence from the north, and will officially become an independent nation on 9th July 2011.
During Sudan's 1983-2005 civil war the Nuba people fought on the side of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army/Movement, which still controls the region.
While both the north Sudanese army and the SPLA entered into negotiations to cease hostilities yesterday (Thursday, 16th June), after nearly two weeks of ongoing fighting, there are fears that conflict may continue.
One of the causes of the recent violence was an attempt by the north Sudanese army to disarm SPLA forces in the region, following a demand that troops be withdrawn.
Just over a week before negotiations began, the SPLM's Yasir Arman cautioned: "Disarming the SPLA north, if it continues, will bring a big crisis."
Together with Abyei and Blue Nile, South Kordofan is one of three frontier regions between north and south whose status has still not been settled following January's referendum.
The governor of South Kordofan, Ahmed Mohammad Haroun, is currently being sought by the international criminal court, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.