UN voices alarm at worsening security in key Sudanese state of Southern Kordofan

Clashes continue to be reported in the Sudanese state of Southern Kordofan despite calls by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other top United Nations officials for an end to the hostilities that have displaced tens of thousands of civilians since it began earlier this month.

There are unconfirmed estimates of more than 53,000 people displaced due to the fighting in Southern Kordofan between the northern army known as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) of Southern Sudan, according to the UN humanitarian wing.