Letter of local SPLM authorities to the joint UN/GoS/GoSK assessment team investigating the impact in South Kordofan of the expulsion of iNGOs

In the name of God and the Motherland
Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A)
Nuba Mountains Region

SUB: The Region and local authorities’ position on the decision of expelling International Humanitarian Organization that were working in the area

Our dear visitors and esteemed delegates, on behalf of our humble and vulnerable people, I hereby present to you the people’s position on the decision of expelling six International Non-governmental Organizations INGOs, which was received in dismay and considered another catastrophic spell that would exacerbate the suffering of our deprived people.

As you may be aware our people launched a procession on 8 March 2009 demonstrating against the decision of expelling INGOs that are considered the life line for many lives in the region. The letter of protest that our people had presented to the United Nations is not very different from this one.

Expelled INGOs:

1. Save the Children-USA
2. Mercy Corps
3. PAEDCO
4. Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
5. CARE
6. International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The impact of the expulsion decision:

1. Depriving the people essential services (see table below)
2. Families of employees of these INGOs lost sole breadwinners.
3. Local markets affected and there are a significant decrease in the buying power
4. Increased child mortality and amongst women due to scarcity of health centers and the absence of ambulance services
5. Crowded health centers remaining and high pressure on health workers
6. People are kept aside from expressing their human and civic rights
7. Negative impact on voluntary return programs due to absence of vital services i.e. water, health, education
8. Creation of an environment charged with depression that may lead to conflicts
9. Breaching the Comprehensive Peace Agreement because the National Congress Party did not consult its partner in government (SPLM) which will contribute more to lack of trust between the two
10. Widened distances to areas of services
11. Created an environment of disharmony and lack of congruence between the two partners in government that adds to weakening trust building
12. The budget allocated by the international community and the contributions of the Government of National Unity through the Multi Donor Trust Fund targeting areas mostly affected by war has not been properly used in accordance to the priorities. This fund has not been used to rehabilitate war affected areas; instead the government is allocating these funds selectively on areas of their influence and for political purposes. All the areas where Community Development Fund is allocated are in areas in the state that have not suffered any war i.e. Keilak, Lgawa Abu-Jubeiha, Talodi to mention just a few.
13. The international Community and the United Nations have not assumed its monitoring mandate to ensure that all funds allocated to rehabilitate areas affected by war is done accordingly. This will be a fulfillment of the pledges they made for sustaining the CPA. Since the signing of the CPA, this area has never received any budget from the State government for service delivery and so far does not belong to any known locality although there is an estimated 700,000 people living. The area has been a war zone for 17 years of the civil war. This same government denied access for humanitarianism throughout the years of war.
14. The state government never involved the local authorities in setting priorities of the areas affected by war and plan strategies for rehabilitation and recovery.

Our Position on the expulsion decision:

1. The decision of expelling INGOs without concession between the two partners a breach of the CPA and it is clear in the decision of the GOSS through the SSRRC that rejected the expulsion. We in the SPLM are committed to our party’s decision.
2. The decision was unilateral-it is the National Congress Party’s decision- the SPLM was not consulted.
3. The expulsion decision was a political reaction with no consideration to the humanitarian needs of the areas affected by war.
4. Neither the government of Southern Kordofan State nor the Government of national unity ever allocated a budget for service delivery since the signing of the CPA, nevertheless NGOs did and continue to serve.
5. The policy of depriving the area humanitarian assistance is an old practice during the civil war and it is futile during peace.
6. Integration of Civil Service has not yet been done, no alternatives to fill the humanitarian gap.
7. The expulsion decision is meant for Darfur, since when did the Nuba Mountains become part of Darfur and why are we paying the price?
8. The alternative the government wishes to bring is questionable and not trusted on various aspects such as their professionalism, financial viability ethical and their adherence to international humanitarian laws
9. These alternative organizations have never initiated any projects in the past to serve the area, why now?
10. What are the results of the presidential committee led by General Bakri Hassan Salih, and Honorable Malik Agar and Ahmed Haroun who were mandated to look into the pending issues in CPA implementation for Blue Nile State and Southern Kordofan. Where are the results of the other committees, the ambassadors’ delegates, the United Nations and the delegation of the Assessment and Evaluation Commission.

Our View

1. Based on the CPA and the Interim National Constitution and the partnership ethics and the special status that the Nuba Mountains has with regards to the area emergence from bloody conflict we reiterate the position that these NGOs should continue their services without any hindrance or intimidation from the National Congress Party.
2. If the two partners in government do not reach a concession on the crisis, the expelled NGOs should operate from the South to serve the community under the protection of the SRRC and the SSRRC of GOSS
3. We call on the Humanitarian Aid Commission to adhere to its ethical principles and do its mandated humanitarian activities without mixing it with politics and to be impartial in its approach

Many Thanks,

Nuba Mountains Region Administration
Kauda- 5 April 2009

Table showing the activities of the expelled INGOs and the contribution of the State Government to the area (Sources: expelled NGOS, SRRC/ HAC, Secretariats of: health, education, agriculture and water)

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