Sudan

Amnesty International (AI) says the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) is carrying out a brutal campaign of arbitrary detentions, torture, and mental and physical intimidation against opponents and critics of the government.

In its latest report, the AI’ Africa programme director, Erwin van der Borght, points out that, “The extensive, multi-pronged assault on the Sudanese people by the security services has left the critics of the government in constant fear of arrest, harassment or worse."

The organisation further says, "The Sudanese authorities are brutally silencing political opposition and human rights defenders in Sudan through violence and intimidation. NISS agents benefit from total impunity for the human rights violations they continue to commit."

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Aid agencies are warning of a possible major conflict in Southern Sudan which could pose a fresh security threat to its neighbours like Kenya if no urgent international intervention is taken to save the current tottering peace deal.

In a report, the 10 agencies say the peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement that ended one of Africa's longest and deadliest wars is on the brink of collapse.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) director, Richard Poole, argues that, "We are very concerned that the deteriorating humanitarian situation and frustration over the lack of progress in the peace deal will exacerbate existing tensions and boil over."

To read the article titled, “Relief agencies warn of looming conflict in country,” click here.

Lise Grande, coordinator of (United Nations) UN humanitarian efforts in South Sudan, says a vast under-developed region in a grip of renewed tribal violence, is facing a massive food shortage.

Grande states that, "The southern Sudan is faced with a massive food deficit caused by a combination of late rains, high levels of insecurity and displacement, disruptions of trade and high food prices."

She further says that, “The rains necessary for the first harvest have failed - which will extend the hunger gap from June all the way through October, when it normally ends in August."

To read the article titled, “Food shortage in Sudan,” click here.

Two aid workers kidnapped in Darfur have been located and are in good health. This is according to Sudanese officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Sudanese minister for humanitarian affairs, Abdel Baqi Gilani, says the location of Irish national, Sharon Commins and Ugandan Hilda Kawuki, who were kidnapped from the office of the Irish aid group, GOAL, is now known. The minister added that the kidnapping is not politically motivated.

The kidnapping was the third of foreign aid workers since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant on 4 March 2009 for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for alleged war crimes in Darfur.

To read the article titled, “Aid workers in good health,” click here.