Sudan says committed in delivering assistance to needy in Blue Nile, South Kordofan

Sudanese government on Saturday reiterated its commitment in facilitating delivery of humanitarian assistance to the needy in South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas, which are witnessing armed clashes since 2011.

The Sudanese government and the rebels of Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector are currently holding negotiations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to reach understandings that allow opening of passages to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the conflict.

"The government is serious and ready to deliver assistance to the affected population in the two areas," Ahmed Mohamed Adam, Sudan's Humanitarian Aid Commissioner and member of the government delegation to the peace talks, told reporters in Addis Ababa.

"Our moral and legal responsibility necessitates us to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance to the needy in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and all areas in need for aid," he noted.

The SPLM/northern sector says over 500,000 civilians in the two areas are in need for humanitarian assistance, but the Sudanese humanitarian aid commissioner said there were no accurate statistics for the affected population.

South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas have been witnessing armed clashes between the Sudanese army and the rebels of the SPLM/northern sector since 2011.

Nine previous rounds of talks were held between the two sides, but they failed to reach a deal to end the conflict in the two areas. Endit