Mukesh Kapila: Act Now or It will Be Too Late - Voice of America

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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