Sudan: parties to conflict agree to build road for relief deliveries
6 November -- The parties to the conflict in the Sudan have agreed to establish a cross-line road corridor from Kenya to southern Sudan, in order to ensure secure delivery of relief aid to affected Sudanese populations.
The agreement to link Lokichoggio, Kenya, to Kapoeta, Sudan, was reached between the Sudanese Government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement during the 4th meeting of the Technical Committee on Humanitarian Assistance (TCHA), held in Geneva from 2-3 November.
According to the Committee's final communiqué, the Chairman expressed displeasure during the meeting over the collapse of the unilateral limited humanitarian ceasefires - which had been in effect since July 1998 - and noted the loss of life and property damage from ground and air offensives. "These [attacks] have resulted in large-scale displacement of civilian populations bringing further misery and suffering to a people who can barely meet their basic needs," said Ambassador Tom Eric Vraalsen, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs for the Sudan.
Ambassador Vraalsen introduced the concept of an independent Grievance Committee, noting that such a body could reinforce adherence to ceasefires and build confidence. He encouraged the parties to consider his proposal.
According to the communiqué, the participants discussed issues in an "open and cooperative manner" and unanimously reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need. The parties also acknowledged the importance of the national campaign to vaccinate children against polio, following an appeal from Ambassador Vraalsen.
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