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| International |
| Thousands flee Sudanese govt troops advance |
| 2002-07-03 |
| Tens of thousands of people are fleeing fighting in Sudan's oil-rich region of Western Upper Nile, following the fall of the key rebel-held town of Mankien to government forces in June. The charity Christian Aid says there is clear evidence that civilians are being targeted in the government offensive. The war in Sudan between the Islamic government of the north and rebels from the mainly Christian south has lasted nearly two decades, and despite recent US efforts, it seems to be getting worse, with terrible consequences for civilians. That's because they reached an agreement and the SPLA didn't keep it. They wanted to grab off a little more... On Friday last week there was more mayhem as government militias broke through the rebel lines again, attacking and looting villages south of Mankien and causing more villagers to flee. The United States Government recently brokered a deal between the SPLA rebels and the Khartoum government where both sides agreed not to target civilians. Which is a fine demonstration of just how much that piece of paper was worth. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |