By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, July 16 -- Are there unexplained double standards at the UN on humanitarian access?
On July 16 in “elements to the press,” the Security Council on the “humanitarian situation in Sudanese states of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile... urged warring parties to allow humanitarian access in accordance with Resolution 2046” adopted by the Security Council, more than two years ago.
(Inner City Press has put the full "elements to the press" below.)
Inner City Press asked UN Humanitarian chief Valerie Amos, and the Council's Rwandan presidency for July, if thenewly adopted Syria model for humanitarian access would be applied to Southern Kordofan.
Amos did not answer that part of the question -- perhaps because she said she was only answering on Sudan and South Sudan -- and the Rwandan presidency said that no member of the Council had suggested even circulating a resolution as was done on Syria.
OCHA and many Security Council members have bemoaned the lack of access to Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile. But why have no steps been taken, as on Syria? Reports under Resolution 2046 are not, as those on Syria are, put out in advance in the UN Spokesperson's office.
And a request by the Free UN Coalition for Access to OCHA's head of communications, previously in the same position for UN Peacekeeping boss Herve Ladsous, for a copy of Amos' clearly prepared opening remarks at the stakeout on Sudan and South Sudan was not responded to, whereas Amos' statements on Syria can be disseminated.
In fact, OCHA has provided to the media summaries of information given in closed consultations to the Security Council on Syria. Why the difference with Southern Kordofan?
Inner City Press also asked Amos about a critique of Ladsous' UNMISS mission in South Sudan, as undermining humanitarian independence. Amos gave a thoughtful answer about the need for escorts and security, given the logistics challenges. But how will this be received at the upcoming humanitarian summit?
After the Rwandan presidency read out the “elements to the press,” Inner City Press asked about the status of Rwanda's June 26 complaint that Ladsous' MONUSCO mission had flown the FDLR militia's leader from Eastern Congo to Kinshasa before any decision by the 1533 Sanctions committee on giving a travel ban waiver (it was denied).
Ladsous' DPKO has not even responded to the complaint, was the answer. On July 15, UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told Inner City Press that the FDLR leader was escorted back to Eastern Congo - but then insisted he hadn't said that the UN did the escorting. Who did, then? Watch this site.
Full text:
Press elements following the briefing on Sudan/South Sudan
The members of the Security Council expressed deep concern about the security and humanitarian situation in the Sudanese states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile. They urged the warring parties to cease hostilities, engage in direct dialogue without preconditions and allow unhindered access to humanitarian assistance, in accordance with SC Resolution 2046.
The members of the Security Council further expressed deep concern about the deterioration of the situation in South Sudan, including in its humanitarian dimension, which has put about one million people under threat of famine. They were alarmed by information that both parties were recruiting and acquiring weapons, in violation of their agreement of June 10, and stand ready to consider appropriate measures, in consultations with countries of the region, against those who will not implement their commitment to peace in South Sudan.
