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HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN THE NUBA
MOUNTAINS/SOUTH KORDOFAN STATE, SUDAN
PRESENTATION AT:
THE 50th ORDINARY SESSION OF THE AFRICAN COMMISSION
ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS
(25 October 2011)
Banjul, The GAMBIA
By: Dr Ahmed A. Saeed
CONTENT
Context –geographical, demographical and political
Where, who and why?
what are the causes of the conflict in SK?
CPA – important provisions and milestones
The return back to war; Was it inevitable?
Human rights violations committed in the early
days of the conflict?
Current Human right situation in SKS!
Current Humanitarian situation in SKS
Recommendations
South
EAST Darfur
Blue Nile
Abyei
Southern
Kordofan
Jason Matus
CONTEXT – FACTS ABOUT SKS – 1/2
Inhabited by 2.5 million people according to 2010 census of which (over 66% are black African).
Other inhabitants are of Arab stock (Misseriya, Hawazma, etc) – cattle herders or Baggara
The state is a smaller picture of Sudan being multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi religious.
Rich – vast, fertile agri. Land; only state in the North that produces oil
Rich state but inhabited by poor people!
Strategic position: used to be in the heart of old Sudan – now longest borders with ROSS (>2000Km) – the new South Sudan
CONTEXT - ROOTS CAUSES OF THE CONFLICT 2/2
Political marginalization
Economic marginalization
Cultural marginalization/discrimination
Religious discrimination
Lack of development
Historical injustices – slavery and slave trade,
colonial experience, etc.
THE COMPREHENSIVE PEACE AGREEMENT –1/3
Signed in Jan 2005 between the GOS/NCP and SPLM/A
Provided a framework for sustainable peace
For South Sudan – referendum after 6 yrs. interim period
For 2 states (SKS and BNS) – special protocol that is considered as a model for resolving the conflict between the centre and the periphery
Protocol: did not address the root causes to the conflict.. But deferred them to future processes
Popular consultation (PC): political, administrative, constitutional, economic and security arrangements
Success of PC – depends on processes being free and fair .. No manipulation of local realities and respect for popular will.
Pre-requisite for success – implementation of provisions of protocol in good faith, fair census, fair voter register, fair demarcation of constituencies and free and fair elections
CPA … CONTINUES 2/3
CPA stipulates that PC be completed in the 4th yr of the interim period
CPA is not final settlement to conflict in SKS and BNS until subjected to the will of the people in the two states
PC end results is a new agreement between the state and the GNU that satisfies the aspirations of the people
Security arrangement
JIUs (SAF+SPLA: 3000x2 = 6000) – integrated, with new doctrine
SAF to be reduced to peace time level (pres. Decree)
SPLA to withdraw South of 1956 borders
SAF and SPLA both considered national armies
CPA – IMPLEMENTATION 3/3
Poor implementation – lack of political will
Remainder of SPLA (proper) withdrawn south of 1956 borders
No decree issued from presidency with regards to SAF downsizing and re-deployment
SAF, instead of expected downsizing – increased
Arming of militia continued
Census and Constituencies manipulated – 2008 population of SKS given as 1.4m – SPLM refused the results and decided to boycott elections
Provided evidence – census redone in 2010 and population found to be 2.5m
SPLM participated in national elections in 2010 – despite reservations but state elections were postponed
State elections in May 2011 were rigged – SPLM rejected results and stated that it will not recognize or be part of any institutions of governance emerging out of it
SPLM-NM would use democratic, peaceful means of resistance
THIS WAR IS PREMEDITATED !
Beshir statement in the city of Gedarif – 19 Dec
10 – calling for an Arab, Islamic country .. No
more so called diversity in Sudan after
referendum of the South (in search of ethnic
purity in Sudan!) – early warning!
Beshir in Muglad campaign – NCP we will win
whether by ballot or by bullet
Unilateral decision to forcefully disarm SPLA –
23.05.2011
BESHIR BORROWED GHAZAFI’S PHRASE!
THE RETURN BACK TO WAR – WAS IT INEVITABLE?
War re-started in SKS on 05.06.2011 – with mutinies within SAF in Kadugli battalion – disobeying orders to disarm SPLA
In Umdorein and Talodi fighting broke out between JIUs components – SPLA refuses to hand over their weapons
On 06.06 a delegation composed of from SPLM and NCP flew to Kadugli in an attempt to arrest the situation but was in vain
Since that date and time: 06.06 at 06 PM suffering of civilians and HR violations in SKS that amount to war crimes in SKS continues on a daily basis.
VIOLATIONS DURING THE EARLY WEEKS OF THE
WARS INSIDE KADUGLI – DOCUMENTED BY:
UNMIS: report on HR situation in SKS – June11
UNHCHR preliminary report on HR situation in
SK – August 11
VIOLATIONS OF HR& HUMANITARIAN LAWS:
INCLUDE:-
Threat to right to life and physical integrity
Indiscriminate killing and attacks against civilians
Allegations of mass graves
Allegations of use of chemical weapons and use of landmines
Aerial bombardments
Abductions
Arbitrary arrests, detentions & associated human rights violations
Forced displacement and coerced returns
Restrictions on humanitarian access
Freedom of expression
Freedom of assembly & association
Violations against UNMIS, its staff and assets
Attacks on Churches
LEGAL FRAMEWORK – UNHCHR REPORT KEY FINDINGS
57. In accordance with international criminal law, serious
violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, such as those described in this report including killings and enforced disappearances, if substantiated could amount to crimes against humanity, or war crimes for which individual criminal responsibility may be sought.
58. The violations described in this report, allegedly perpetrated by the SAF, PDF, Central Reserve Police Forces and the Government Police in Southern Kordofan, and SPLA-N, if substantiated, may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Armed Forces Act (2007) of Sudan, and the Sudan Criminal Act of 1991, amended 2009.
KEY RECOMMENDATION – UNHCHR REPORT!
An independent, thorough, and objective inquiry be conducted into alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law that occurred during the hostilities in Southern Kordofan with a view to holding perpetrators to account. Immunities of members of the military and security forces, alleged to have been involved in violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, be lifted to allow for prosecutions and trials in compliance with due process and fair trial standards.
CLAIMS OF BURNED BODIES– MUST BE INVESTIGATED!
AERIAL BOMBING: CRATERS OF AERIAL BOMBING
VARIOUS TYPES OF BOMBS
VARIOUS BOMBS AND STRANGE CHEMICALS!
IMPACT OF AERIAL BOMBARDMENT
Massive population displacement.
Killings and serious injuries of innocent civilians, especially women, children and the elderly
Lack of cultivation
Denial of access of humanitarian assistance
Hunger is looming – people are living on berries, leaves and wild food
Destruction of basic services – health, education and water services
Market dries up of basic commodities – sugar, salt, soap and fuel
PEOPLE LIVING ON WILD FOOD, LEAVES AND
BERRIES – WOMEN AFFECTED MOST
DEATH: A PREGNANT WOMAN KILLED ON 22.06
DEATH: A GIRL CHILD OF 12 YEARS
DEATH: AN ELDERLY MAIMED WHILE SOWING THE
SEEDS IN HIS FIELD
LIVELIHOOD AFFECTED: ANIMALS ARE KILLED
INJURIES: GISMA AND SHADYA IN KAUDA 18.09
PUBLIC PLACES TARGETED: CHURCHES,
SCHOOLS AND MARKETS
PEOPLE LIVING IN CAVES: IN ONE CAVE THERE ARE 35 PEOPLE
CHILDREN ALONE IN THE CAVES: MOTHERS GO OUT
FOR FARMING OR IN SEARCH OF FOOD & WATER
INJURIES: HOSPITALS FULL OF INJURED CHILDREN
PROTECTION: RUNNING FOR SHELTER
KAUDA WOMEN AND CHILDREN PROTEST AGAINST
THE EGYPTIANS UNMIS MONITORS
Locals are frustrated from lack of international response:
IMPACT ON HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
Many civilians have been killed and hundreds seriously wounded by indiscriminate aerial bombing in both states - between 13.09 and 13.10, ten (10) were killed and 23 injured.
IDP and refugee numbers are growing due to the ongoing fighting and are expected to significantly increase with the end of the rainy season in a few weeks time
The conflict is beginning to have significant regional dimensions as large numbers of civilians are fleeing to South Sudan (over 14,000) and Ethiopia (over 30,000)
Food security continue to deteriorate for more than 220,000 IDPs in the Nuba Mountains, as people are now relying on berries and leaves for sustenance
Aerial bombing has prevented cultivation in SKS and BNS –normally produce most of Sudan’s sorghum
Risk of mass starvation in both states as the sorghum harvest is expected to fail in a few weeks time.
RECOMMENDATIONS … 1/2
ACHPR must pressure the GOS to immediately allow unimpeded international humanitarian access and assistance to all areas of SKS and BNS
ACHPR must authorise a fact finding mission to investigate alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in the two states, perhaps jointly with the AU Peace and Security Council, invoking article 19 of the PSC Protocol regarding “relationships with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights” and articles 58 and 59 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights relating to matters of emergency.
RECOMMENDATIONS … 2/2
ACHPR must pressure the GOS and the
Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to stop targeting
highly populated villages by high altitude
bombers.
ACHPR should urge the GOS to return back to
the negotiation table with SPLM-N under the
mediation of the AUHIP with specific aim to
reach a cessation of hostilities agreement to
allow access of humanitarian assistance to the
war affected people in the SKS.
IN CONCLUSION…
The HR situation in SKS is terrible and the humanitarian situation is catastrophic. It needs our immediate collective response and action
We urge HR defenders in Africa and around the world to advocate for immediate humanitarian access to all parts of SKS.
The conflict in SKS is political in nature and finally parties to this conflict have to resolve it through negotiations by addressing the root causes to the conflict
ACHPR must show leadership by authorising a fact finding mission of inquiry to SKS and BNS to investigate the alleged HR violations.
Perpetrators of HR violations in SKS must be held accountable to the crimes committed.
THANK YOU
NUBA
James Nicholls – Gidel 1999
James Nicholls: Wrestling Promoter – Gidel 2004
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