Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Juba (Agenzia Fides) - "The mobile phone network does not work in South Kordofan, the area is completely isolated. We cannot get in touch with Mgr. Gassis " sources of His Exc Mgr Macram Max Gassis`s secretary, Bishop of El Obeid tell Fides, and southern Kordofan is part of this vast jurisdiction. Mgr. Gassis has been carrying out his pastoral visit in the region for some time.
South Kordofan is a region on the border between north and south Sudan, whose center is represented by the Nuba Mountains. As the adjoining area of Abyei (see Fides 30/05/2011), even South Kordofan is a disputed area between north and south Sudan (on July 9, it should officially declare its independence), especially due to the presence of oilfields. According to press reports that mention some local witnesses and UN officials in the provincial capital, Kadugli, there were battles between the armed forces and the army in the south of Khartoum, Sudan.
The Governor of the province is Ahmed Mohammed Haroun, wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur. "From the little information that we have received, the situation is very tense in the area. We do not know who has isolated communication in the region, but it is certainly a worrying sign ", concludes the sources of Fides. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 07/06/2011)
