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South Sudan: Caught in Between in Southern Kordofan

Wed, 04/14/2010 - 21:15

The state of Southern Kordofan was the site of some of the deadliest fighting between north and south Sudan during the 22-year war which ended in 2005 with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). The state lies at the (as yet undefined) border between north and south Sudan, and it is next to South Darfur. Under the CPA, Southern Kordofan lies in north Sudan, but it has a substantial population of Nuba people who identify with south Sudan. Since the CPA was signed, hundreds of thousands of people who fled during the north-south war have returned home to conditions of extreme poverty in Southern Kordofan. People interviewed by Refugees International expressed fears about the risks of renewed violence in the state and their strong desire to avoid being displaced again.

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Village chief: In front of one of the shelters he's building for south Sudanese people returning to the area, he described the challenges of re-starting life in the village as people are returning home with almost no assets.Village chief: In front of one of the shelters he's building for south Sudanese people returning to the area, he described the challenges of re-starting life in the village as people are returning home with almost no assets.Head of a local women’s association: Sexual violence against women was common during the north-south war. RI is advocating for expanded funding for gender-based violence and reproductive health programming in this state.Head of a local women’s association: Sexual violence against women was common during the north-south war. RI is advocating for expanded funding for gender-based violence and reproductive health programming in this state.Collecting water: Women have to walk for hours to collect enough water for their families. In some parts of Southern Kordofan returnees have left again because of too few water-points.Collecting water: Women have to walk for hours to collect enough water for their families. In some parts of Southern Kordofan returnees have left again because of too few water-points.Consultation with a Nuba community: RI is advocating for funding and support for early warning and self-protection networks so communities will know where to seek help if conflict does rise.Consultation with a Nuba community: RI is advocating for funding and support for early warning and self-protection networks so communities will know where to seek help if conflict does rise.A leader from a pastoralist community: They told RI that they feel demonized and abandoned by the international community. They pointed out that the majority of them are civilians who are also desperately poor, and who receive no humanitarian assistance.A leader from a pastoralist community: They told RI that they feel demonized and abandoned by the international community. They pointed out that the majority of them are civilians who are also desperately poor, and who receive no humanitarian assistance.Darfuris who fled to Southern Kordofan: They live in a displacement camp and hope to eventually return to Darfur.Darfuris who fled to Southern Kordofan: They live in a displacement camp and hope to eventually return to Darfur.Staff of the Southern Kordofan state government: Showing a UN-produced map of the state with areas of conflict marked out. They are part of a newly-established office responsible for reconciliation activities and civic education.Staff of the Southern Kordofan state government: Showing a UN-produced map of the state with areas of conflict marked out. They are part of a newly-established office responsible for reconciliation activities and civic education.

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