Peace deal in southern Sudan brings little respite for Darfur
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《英国医生杂志》
Despite the signing on 9 January of the Comprehensive Peace Settlement for Sudan, which officially ended Africa's longest war, violence in Darfur continues to escalate, jeopardising humanitarian operations and chances of a peace dividend.
Charities warn that the peace deal might not be sustainable
Credit: LIBA TAYLOR/PANOS
Reconstruction needs are immense. Sudan has the world's highest number of displaced people: more than six million have fled the various conflicts. The south, where two million people have died from the war, has some of the world's lowest health and socioeconomic indicators and not one kilometre of paved road.
An interagency statement, from CARE International, Christian Aid, International Rescue Committee, Oxfam International, Save the Children UK, and Tearfund, said it was "the best hope yet for peace. For millions of displaced people it will signal the start of their journey home."
Yet it cautioned, "A peace settlement that does not seriously tackle the causes of conflict in Darfur and other areas cannot be comprehensive, nor can it be sustained without community involvement."
The World Food Programme this week appealed for $302m (￡161m; 230m), saying that some 268 000 tonnes of food are needed to feed 3.2 million Sudanese people in the next 12 months.
The organisation warned, "After the long awaited signing of the agreement, people have high expectations for change. The international community must show its commitment by addressing immediate needs, while also supporting long term reconstruction. It is crucial for the Sudanese to see the immediate dividends of peace, if peace is to last."
The International Crisis Group, an independent not for profit organisation that monitors conflicts, warned, however, "The ongoing Darfur conflict constrains resources for implementing this deal, diverts international attention from supporting it, and weakens the commitment of the parties to its substance. Unless a comprehensive international effort is crafted, parts of Sudan will continue to burn, leaving peace in any one part of the country at grave risk. Continuing to deal with Sudan in a piecemeal way ensures the fire will never be extinguished completely."
Secretary general of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, recently warned the security council, "A build up of arms and intensification of violence, including air attacks, suggest the security situation is deteriorating. I am concerned that we may move into a period of intense violence unless swift action is taken."
Mr Annan said that aid workers were increasingly being targeted: "While previous incidents have only been aimed at looting supplies and goods, December has seen acts of murder and vicious assaults on staff, forcing some agencies to leave Darfur."(Peter Moszynski)
Charities warn that the peace deal might not be sustainable
Credit: LIBA TAYLOR/PANOS
Reconstruction needs are immense. Sudan has the world's highest number of displaced people: more than six million have fled the various conflicts. The south, where two million people have died from the war, has some of the world's lowest health and socioeconomic indicators and not one kilometre of paved road.
An interagency statement, from CARE International, Christian Aid, International Rescue Committee, Oxfam International, Save the Children UK, and Tearfund, said it was "the best hope yet for peace. For millions of displaced people it will signal the start of their journey home."
Yet it cautioned, "A peace settlement that does not seriously tackle the causes of conflict in Darfur and other areas cannot be comprehensive, nor can it be sustained without community involvement."
The World Food Programme this week appealed for $302m (￡161m; 230m), saying that some 268 000 tonnes of food are needed to feed 3.2 million Sudanese people in the next 12 months.
The organisation warned, "After the long awaited signing of the agreement, people have high expectations for change. The international community must show its commitment by addressing immediate needs, while also supporting long term reconstruction. It is crucial for the Sudanese to see the immediate dividends of peace, if peace is to last."
The International Crisis Group, an independent not for profit organisation that monitors conflicts, warned, however, "The ongoing Darfur conflict constrains resources for implementing this deal, diverts international attention from supporting it, and weakens the commitment of the parties to its substance. Unless a comprehensive international effort is crafted, parts of Sudan will continue to burn, leaving peace in any one part of the country at grave risk. Continuing to deal with Sudan in a piecemeal way ensures the fire will never be extinguished completely."
Secretary general of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, recently warned the security council, "A build up of arms and intensification of violence, including air attacks, suggest the security situation is deteriorating. I am concerned that we may move into a period of intense violence unless swift action is taken."
Mr Annan said that aid workers were increasingly being targeted: "While previous incidents have only been aimed at looting supplies and goods, December has seen acts of murder and vicious assaults on staff, forcing some agencies to leave Darfur."(Peter Moszynski)