Sudan takes new measures to control South Sudanese refugee camps after riots

[Elisabeth Janaina]

Sudan takes new measures to control South Sudanese refugee camps after riots

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Parts of Al-waral refugee camp in the White Nile State devastated
after riots on 3 3 August 2017 (ST photo)
August 4, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan’s Ministry of Interior on Thursday
decided to take new measures in South Sudanese refugee camps in the
White Nile State following recent riots in the southern state.

Violence broke out Tuesday at Khor Al-Waral Camp, the biggest South
Sudanese refugee camp in the White Nile State which houses over 53,000
refugees, while there are more than 160,000 refugees in the whole
state

The scale and cause of the trouble were not immediately clear,
however, pictures posted on social media showed smoke billowing from
the camp and burnt huts.

Also, there were reports that four Sudanese teachers have been raped
in the incident.

Sudan’s State Interior Minister Babekir Digna on Thursday has
inspected the camp, saying the law would be applied on all those
responsible for the incident.

He told the official news agency SUNA that new measures would be
implemented regarding allowing entry to the camp, saying they have
informed the chiefs of the camp about the new measures.

Digna said the UNHCR’s representative in Sudan, Noriko Yoshida
underscored full respect for the laws to protect the public safety,
pointing the conditions at the camp are stable and the police and
security forces have brought the situation under control.

For her part, Yoshida has denounced the incident, saying she is
accompanying the Sudanese officials to address the situation in the
camp.

She expressed solidarity with the families of the victims, saying the
law must the law must apply to everyone without exception.

The UN official further called on the refugees to renounce violence,
urging the residents to maintain security and peace inside the camps.

Meanwhile, the government of the White Nile State Friday said
investigations have begun with 78 accused in the Khor Al- Waral
incident.

The state governor Abdel-Hamid Musa Kasha stressed the government will
bring the perpetrators to justice, saying they deal with the South
Sudanese refugee as citizens.

In the same context, the World Health Organization (WHO)
representative in Sudan.Naeema Al-Gasseer, have visited the teachers
who have been assaulted in the camp incident at the Kosti Hospital.

She called to renounce violence and promote values of tolerance,
expressing regret over the violence suffered by a number of teachers.

Al-Gasseer pointed to the UN principles promoting tolerance, saying
the assailants would be put to trial following the completion of the
investigations conducted by the relevant authorities.

According to the UN, more than 410,000 South Sudanese — nearly 90% of
them women and children — have fled to Sudan since the outbreak of
civil war in 2013.

South Sudan seceded from Sudan on July 9th, 2011 following a
referendum on whether the semi-autonomous region should remain a part
of the country or become independent. 99% of the Southern Sudanese
voters chose Independence.

(ST)