By Joylene Sing'oei
The African Union has condemned armed attacks recently carried out in Sudan’s North Kordofan State and other areas in South Kordofan State.
The attacks, allegedly launched by Sudan Revolutionary Front, have resulted into deaths, casualties and destruction of property.
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma , the Chairperson of the Commission of the AU said the and destruction of property, including a power grid for the town.
In a remark posted on AU website on Tuesday, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma , the Chairperson of the Commission said: ’’These unfortunate incidents constitute a setback, as they have taken place immediately after the commencement of direct talks between Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), held in Addis Ababa, from 23 to 26 April 2013.”
AU appealed to the conflicting parties to exercise maximum restraint and allow the political leadership to work through direct talks to reach a comprehensive resolution to the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States.
The Commission also urged the Government of Sudan and SPLM-N to embrace direct talks under facilitation of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and the Chairperson of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in the interest of peace, security and wellbeing of the people of Sudan.
Last week, Sudan Foreign Ministry issued a statement terming SPLM-North, Justice and Equality Movement and Sudan Liberation Movement “biggest threat to peace, security and humanitarian situations in South Kordofan, Blue Nile , Darfur and the area as a whole”.
The ministry further condemned the use of civilians by SPLM-North and its allies as human shields and exploiting the subsequent human suffering to achieve narrow political objectives.
