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                 Mukesh Kapila: Act Now or It will Be Too Late

   by John Tanza

   The former head of the United Nations in Sudan  said humanitarian
   situation in the Nuba mountains is very disturbing. Mukesh Kapila
   recently visited villages in southern Kordofan and said he has
   witnessed illegal weapons such as landmine and cluster bombs being used
   against civilians in the Nuba Mountains.
   He also said many children in the region showed signs of
   malnourishment. Kapila warned of what he termed the `'second genocide
   of the century'' unless the international community takes action.
   Fighting between Sudan Armed Forces and rebels of Sudan People's
   Liberation Army - North (SPLA North) erupted in June of last year,
   forcing thousands of civilians to take refuge in South Sudan.
   Fighting in Nuba Mountains
   He accused Sudan of using heavy weapons against civilian targets. `'
   What is going on in Nuba mountains is even worse because ten years
   after Darfur we have much more sophisticated weaponry being used by
   Sudan Armed Forces'' Kapila said.
   The former United Nations diplomat said Sudan's government is using
   proxy popular
   defense militia to terrorize the people of Nuba mountains. He said
   Darfur was the first
   genocide of the 21st Century, adding that what he has witnessed on his
   most recent trip to the area suggests a second genocide is occurring in
   Sudan.
   Response of the International Community
   Mukesh Kapila, who currently serves as Aegis Trust Special
   Representative for Crimes Against Humanity, said the international
   community should act quickly to save lives in the Nuba Mountains. `'If
   we get our acts together in relations to Libya, Syria and all other
   places which is a good thing, it is time to do something in relations
   to Nuba as well,'' he said.
   Sudan has repeatedly denied reports of a worsening humanitarian
   situation in
   Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile states. He urged Khartoum to stop
   denying the
   reality on the ground and allow access to international aid agencies.
   Sudan in turn, has accused South Sudan of helping the rebels of the
   SPLA North operating along the Sudan and South Sudan border.
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   o-late/1178687.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/mukes-kapila-act-now-or-it-will-be-too-late/1178687.html