NGOs condemn bombing

Non-governmental organisations, operating under the humanitarian consortium Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS), issued a statement on Monday condemning the government bombing campaign in southern Sudan, and reiterating the legality of their position. The statement was issued following accusations by the government of Sudan of NGO “violations”, and the targeting of humanitarian aid compounds and planes in northern Bahr el Ghazal.

“The specific targeting of NGO compounds and both OLS and ICRC [International Committee of the Red Cross] planes which have legally negotiated access to southern Sudan, has had a significant impact on the level and quality of aid being distributed and is in direct violation of international agreements”, the statement said. It said there had been at least 33 separate bombing incidents in July. Claims by the Sudan government and Sudanese media that OLS agencies had airlifted and supplied arms to separatist rebels in the south “have not been substantiated and are refuted in the strongest possible terms”, the statement said. “NGO members of the OLS consortium have a strong humanitarian philosophy that includes neutrality, impartiality and transparency.” NGOs operating under the OLS consortium had committed themselves to joint agreements signed by the government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). “We fear that the recent aerial bombardment and stipulations of the Government of Sudan will only exacerbate further the fragile humanitarian condition of many in the south,” the statement added.