September 2, 2011 (JUBA) — The Government of South Sudan on Friday expressed concern over the increasing military activity in the bordering states of North Sudan and called on Khartoum to contain the fighting which began in Blue Nile state on Friday.
- A SPLM member sits at a check point in south Kordofan, located in the north-south border January 11, 2011. (Reuters)
This call comes following reports about heavy fighting in involving the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) today. The Sudanese army and the SPLM troops traded accusations of starting the hostilities in a region where tensions between the two sides were increasing since the start of clashes in Southern Kordofan.
Reacting to the event, the South Sudanese minister of information, Barnaba Marial, said his government and citizens were “concerned” about the current military activities in the three transitional areas of Abyei, South Kordofan and Blue Nile and that it would be wise for Sudan’s government to investigate and contain the incident promptly.
He added that the conflicts were “attracting international concern” at the press conference on Friday.
The Sudanese government accused the Juba government of supporting the rebel groups in South Kordofan and Darfur.
The foreign ministry spokesperson said the SPLM-N is politically and militarily part of the ruling party and the official army in the newly independent Republic of South Sudan.
In New York, the UN chief Ban Ki-moon expressed his deep concern over the deterioration of the security situation in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
In a statement released he urged the Sudanese "parties to immediately cease all hostilities and allow access to the humanitarian agencies to all affected areas to provide vital assistance to the civilian population".
(ST)
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