Sudan: U.N concerned about fresh fighting in Khartoum

(SomaliNet) The renewed hostilities in Sudan’s Abyei between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Sudan People\'s Liberation Army attracted concern from the United Nations on Tuesday.

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Sudan Ashraf Jenhagir Qazi, in a statement, expressed his deep regret that the resumption of military confrontation since early Tuesday comes so soon after the parties had met at the level of Ceasefire Joint Military Committee (CJMC) on Sunday.

\"The CJMC, which was chaired by the Acting Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), had reached a number of very important decisions to be implemented immediately and in the medium/long-term in order to de-escalate the crisis,\" Qazi said in a statement.

Agencies said heavy fighting erupted between Sudan\'s army and southern Sudanese forces in the disputed oil-rich town of Abyei. Qazi said the fighting in Abyei has displaced between 30,000 to 50,000 people southwards towards Agok.

\"Five humanitarian hubs are assisting the displaced population in the 18 host villages in the Agok area. UN and NGOs have deployed to meet needs: a) food distribution has started in two hubs; b) water facilities are being set up in all five hubs; c) shelter materials are arriving and will be distributed as soon as possible, and d) health facilities are established and serving basic care and nutrition supplement needs,\" he said.

The humanitarian hubs also serve to assist separated and street children displaced. UN and NGO agencies are successfully assisting displaced and local population in all sectors by deploying resources and workers to the region. However operations are endangered by insecurity.

\"UNMIS has been in contact with both parties in an effort to arrest further deterioration of the situation, which, if not checked, could undermine the entire peace process,\" the UN envoy said.

He appealed to both sides to exercise the utmost restraint and take immediate steps towards disengaging their respective forces.

\"This would enable the UNMIS to revive the ceasefire monitoring mechanism and pave the way for the full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreements pertaining to Abyei,\" the statement said.-Xinhua