“Yesterday the UN mission in South Sudan confirmed that the Sudan Armed Forces dropped at least two bombs near the Yida refugee camp,” Hervé Ladsous, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, told the Security Council (November 11, 2011). The targeted camp held refugees from Sudan’s states of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile. Reports of aerial bombing had come to UN and our attention a couple of weeks earlier. (Read – “UN Reports Sudan Bombing” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/un-reports-sudan-bombings-ethiopia-refugees-by-ambassador-mo/38414 ). “International Crime or Serious Human Rights Abuse”? Navi Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) condemned the bombings and urged an investigation, stressing that the attack could amount to an international crime. “There needs to be an independent, thorough and credible investigation to establish the precise circumstances of this aerial bombing. If indeed it is established that an international crime or serious human rights violation has been committed, then those responsible should be brought to justice,” she said. It is absolutely imperative that both governments take the necessary steps to de-escalate the situation, ensure that civilian lives are protected, and resume peaceful dialogue. Mr. Ladsous said no casualties had been reported so far, adding that this could change as the mission is still verifying the situation in surrounding communities. “It is absolutely imperative that both governments take the necessary steps to de-escalate the situation, ensure that civilian lives are protected, and resume peaceful dialogue,” Mr. Ladsous said. Sudan Claims no Responsibility: Sudan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Daffa-Alla Elhag Ali Osman, told journalists that the Sudanese Government had not ordered any bombings. He also said his Government fully respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of South Sudan, He added though that Khartoum while has the right and obligation to fight all rebels that try to cause instability in its territory. We have also received Reports from the Blue Nile Association of North America directly contradicting this denial from Khartoum’s representative. Read –“ New update on the situation in the Blue Nile State in southeast Sudan” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/un-reports-sudan-bombings-ethiopia-refugees-by-ambassador-mo/38414 According to UN sources, increasing tensions in the border areas between Sudan and South Sudan have driven thousands of civilians to flee their homes since June, and various refugee sites have been established in South Sudan and Ethiopia to provide shelter, food and basic services to those affected by the violence. UNHCR continues to face impediments from conflict and nature and is seeking to establish new shelters. Read - “UN Open New Refugee Camp in Ethiopia” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/un-opens-new-ethiopia-refugee-camp-by-ambassador-mo/36073 ). In her remarks to the Security Council, Hilde Johnson, UNSG’s Special Representative to South Sudan,(speaking via teleconference to UNSC today, 11-11-11: Bottom Photo), also expressed concern over other areas in the country which she said have been bombed recently by the Sudan’s People Liberation Army (SPLA), including New Guffa and Yafta in Maban County, which caused the deaths of one child and seven SPLA soldiers. (Read Regarding Previous UN Security Council Action – “Critical of South Sudan & Sudan” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/un-security-council-critical-of-south-sudan-sudan-on-abyei-troop-withdrawal-by-ambassador-mo/40153 ). Ms. Johnson said the bombings have prompted many people to move from Guffa to Bunji, the county capital, and said an increase in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is expected. She also said fighting has been reported over the past couple of days in Upper Nile State, with UNMISS helping to evacuate the resulting casualties. By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow at DiplomaticallyX Related Reports – “War Crimes Justice” Channel - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/war-crimes-justice