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Canada Condemns Attacks in Southern Sudan and Northern Uganda |
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Written by Government of Canada
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Monday, 07 November 2005 |
 Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and International Cooperation Minister Aileen Carroll today condemned the recent killings of humanitarian aid workers in separate attacks in southern Sudan and northern Uganda. The ministers called for state and non-state actors to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and to be held accountable for attacks on aid workers operating in territory under their control.
"Canada strongly condemns these killings, which, while deplorable in and of themselves, restrict vital humanitarian operations and thereby threaten the security of countless civilians," said Minister Pettigrew. "We call on all parties to ensure the full, safe and unhindered access of humanitarian workers to the people in need in Sudan and northern Uganda."
"CIDA continues to provide much-needed humanitarian assistance and support for peacebuilding activities in the region," said Minister Carroll. "We are, however, deeply concerned by the recent escalation of violence and an apparent targeting of humanitarian aid workers. This cannot continue�civilians in this region have suffered long enough."
The attacks, which began late last month, have so far claimed the lives of five aid workers. On Wednesday, October 26, 2005, two local aid workers working for international organizations were killed in northern Uganda. On Monday, October 31, 2005, two deminers were ambushed and killed in southern Sudan. The most recent attack took place on Saturday, November 5, 2005, when a British aid worker was attacked and killed while driving from Uganda to the Sudanese town of Yei.
In response to this rising insecurity, some United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations have been forced to limit their operations in the region. Humanitarian agencies provide vital assistance to more than 1.6 million internally displaced persons in northern Uganda, and are supporting critical peacebuilding and rehabilitation needs in Sudan.
The 19-year-old conflict in northern Uganda has created one of the world�s worst humanitarian emergencies. Southern Sudan is recovering from decades of civil conflict following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in January 2005. |
