SUDAN

 
Published: Sunday 31 May 1998

El Nio freak weather has certainly played its part in causing drought and famine in Sudan. However, the lastest famine is more to do with civil war than drought. According to the World Food Programme, nearly 350,000 people are facing imminent danger.

"It's true that even by southern Sudan's standards, the drought has been particularly bad this year. However, what you are seeing is 50 per cent man-made, says Peter Verney, a researcher on Sudan. Both the northern Islamic government and southern Christian rebels are using famine as an extra weapon to win the battle.

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