Sudan: March 23, 2002

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The Sudanese government (Khartoum) accused the SPLA and its allies of "kidnapping" 11 Sudanese-national UN employees working in an international-sponsored polio vaccination program. The alleged kidnappings took place in the Dakwahr (Dakwair) area. There were no independent confirmations of Khartoum's accusations. Medical aid and support for refugees are constant issues in the Sudanese civil war. The Khartoum government is regularly accused (with justification) of bombing medical relief sites. This time Khartoum is alleging that the shoe is on the other foot. Agitprop? Probably, but SPLA renegades and bandits (who may be part-time rebels) have struck relief sits in the past.