14 June - UN condemns attack on humanitarian aid convoy in southern Sudan

21 Jul 2009

14 June - UN condemns attack on humanitarian aid convoy in southern Sudan

UNMIS Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG), Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator for Sudan, Ameerah Haq condemns the 12 June attack on a World Food Programme barge convoy carrying humanitarian aid near Nyariem village in Upper Nile State.

An unspecified number of people were reportedly killed and others injured as result of fighting between the Sudan's People Liberation Army (SPLA) escort of the convoy and an armed group.

UNMIS and the humanitarian community are deeply concerned about the continued blockade on the Sobat River which severely harms trade with the villages upriver, for whom river freight is the only lifeline.

UNMIS reiterates its concerns about the continued inter-ethnic violence and urges the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) to work without delay with the local communities to put an end to the ongoing violence and achieve speedy sustainable reconciliation.

UNMIS stands ready within its capacity to assist the local authorities to prevent any further deterioration of the situation, and will provide necessary support to facilitate reconciliation efforts amongst the local communities.

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