Conflict & Drought are again conspiring in wide areas of the Horn of Africa - from Sudan to Ethiopia to Somalia. The UN’s Refugee Agency is reporting a surge – ---“aerial bombings in Sudan's Blue Nile state are driving a new wave of refugees into Ethiopia. In the last four days, nearly 2,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in western Ethiopia amid tightening security at the border area of Kurmuk. Kurmuk, one of several refugee entry points into the country is also considered to be the busiest. The new arrivals are mostly women, children and the elderly. They tell us they fled bombings and fear of bombings by Antonov planes in areas including Bau, Sali and Dinduro, all located between Kurmuk and the Blue Nile capital, Damazine. There are also reports that armed militia on the Sudanese side of the Kurmuk border have warned the community to leave the area, possibly in preparation for a ground offensive. Refugees from an area called Derring reported abductions of women and girls six weeks ago by armed militia, and that two girls died after being raped repeatedly." (These reports from UNHCR offer a rather different picture from the message/hopes only a month or so earlier from UN/AY Special Envoy in Darfur/Sudan – READ –“Darfur Peace Achievable UN/AU Envoy Contends” – diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/darfur-peace-achieveable-unau-envoy-contends/35098 “With the current situation in Blue Nile, more refugees are expected to arrive in Ethiopia. UNHCR is working with the Ethiopian authorities to expand Tongo camp in anticipation of a further influx. With ongoing construction Tongo will be able to host some 7,000 refugees. Together with its government counterpart, the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA) and the President of the Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, UNHCR is investigating the feasibility of additional camp sites. (READ – “UN Open New Refugee Camp in Ethiopia” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/un-opens-new-ethiopia-refugee-camp-by-ambassador-mo/36073 ). “UNHCR has appealed for US$10 million to meet the urgent needs of refugees from Blue Nile State and to support Ethiopia at a time when it is also hosting more than 174,000 Somali refugees (90,000 of whom arrived this year). So far we have received five percent, or US$500,000 for the Sudan emergency, and urge the international community to step up their response to this growing crisis.” Ethiopia’s Own Human Rights Record: As has been raised on more than one occasion here, the record of Ethiopia in dealing with its own population and particularly Ogaden has not proven consistent with human rights commitments and international humanitarian law. (READ – “History Repeats Itself in Ogaden” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/history-repeats-itself-in-ogaden-by-susan-sacirbey/34177 ). The plight of ethnic Somalis in Ogaden and others suffering from famine and human rights abuses largely continues to evade UN and international observers as a whole. Are Sudan Conflicts Winding Down? In meantime, despite reports of cease fires and commitments by the Khartoum government, the conflicts from Darfur to the Blue Nile state continue. The Lord’s Liberation Army still appears in action, although perhaps a new US aided effort may finally put this scourge out of business. (READ – “US Sends Special Forces on Kill Mission” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/us-sends-special-forces-on-kill-mission-to-central-africa-by-ambassador-mo/36308 ) Ethnic cleansing appears still in fashion in the Horn of Africa along with conflict. Famine is only the most current and cruelest depravation – and whether as part of conflict strategy or otherwise it has become part of political design of the region. (Also READ - “Political Culpability for Famine” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/political-culpability-for-famine-by-ambassador-mo/34826 ). (Above MAP – Courtesy of - www1.american.edu/ted/ice/turkana-merille.htm ) By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX “War Crimes Justice” Channel - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/war-crimes-justice