US Envoy condemns reports of civilians being poisoned in Sudan’s war
Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - The US Special Envoy to the Sudan, Tom Perriello, has condemned reports that civilians were not only shot at and killed, but were sometimes subjected to such practices as poisoning and debasing slurs in the raging war in the country.
Reports, including official statements by the health authorities, have pointed to evidence that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), in their war against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), were even poisoning water sources and food.
U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello, wrote on his X account on Sunday that “the emerging reports that RSF soldiers poisoned hundreds of Sudanese in the village of Alhilaliya shock the conscience”.
He warned that “to poison food in a country already suffering from famine is an especially heinous act. If confirmed, (RSF leader) General (Mohamed Hamdan) Hemedti & all of the RSF leadership need to answer”.
Meanwhile, the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs on Tuesday reported that tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced from parts of Gazirah State since 20 October following a wave of armed violence and attacks in the area.
Local authorities and humanitarian partners report that the number of displaced people arriving in Gadarif, Kassala and River Nile states continues to increase.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) reported on 1 November that about 135,400 people were displaced from Gazirah and arrived in Gadarif, Kassala and River Nile states. Local authorities and humanitarian partners report that the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) arriving in these states continues to increase.
The UN quoted the local health community focal points in the Butanah area in Gadarif State as saying there is a suspected cholera outbreak among displaced people from eastern Gazirah State.
The disease is reportedly rapidly spreading among the displaced community as the IDPs do not have access to clean drinking water and are forced to drink contaminated water from open water sources.
-0- PANA MO/MA 12Nov2024
