The Sudanese government and private companies are responsible for the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians in their efforts to exploit the African country’s oil resources, according to a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW).
In a report released on Tuesday, the U.S.-based human rights monitor documented how the government used infrastructural devices like roads, bridges and airfields built by foreign oil companies to fight opposition groups in the south. The companies “turned a blind eye” to the human rights abuses performed by the Islamic government, which has been engaged in a 20-year civil war with non-Muslim nationals.
In accordance with these actions, the government has bombed civilian targets and displaced large parts of southern Sudan’s population to access oilfields.
Sixty percent of the African country’s $580 million oil revenues were allocated to the military, according to the report.
Furthermore, the government armed militia to carry out many of their attacks on opposition groups like the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA).
HRW called for the return and safety of the displaced people as well as compensation for their losses as part of a comprehensive peace.