Civilians flee key southern town

Thousands of civilians are reportedly deserting Wau, the capital of Bahr el Ghazal region in southern Sudan. Catholic bishop Caesar Mazzolari, from Rumbek Diocese, said in Nairobi on Thursday that panic had been triggered by fears of a possible attack on Wau by the rebel Sudanese Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA). The SPLA captured Gogrial town, about 100 km north of Wau, last week, provoking aerial bombardment by the government of rebel-held areas. According to information released by the Sudan Catholic Information Office (SCIO) in Nairobi, the exodus has been “gradual” because movements are restricted by the government.

SCIO said at least 70,000 people have been affected, but this has not been confirmed by any other humanitarian source. Wau - a crossroads for north and south - has long been sandwiched between government and rebel-held territory, and was taken briefly by the SPLA in 1998, triggering events that led to the Bahr el Ghazal famine. Charles Omondi of the Sudan Catholic Information Office (SCIO) told IRIN that the recent movement of people had come at a time when people were supposed to be preparing their farms, and would have long-term implications for food availability in the area.

The information was released after Bishop Mazzolari visited the area and met with local leaders and aid workers.