Uncertain situation in Sudan tops report

BRUSSELS, April 2 (UPI) -- Growing fears for the safety of civilians in Sudan following an indictment of the country's president topped a monthly International Crisis Group report.

The CrisisWatch report released by the Belgium-based non-governmental organization cited Sudan as one of nine conflict situations that deteriorated in March. The listing stems from the country's ongoing humanitarian crisis that is feared will grow worse following the indictment of Sudan President Omar al-Bashir by the International Criminal Court, the Crisis Group reported.

After the indictment was announced, Bashir expelled 13 international aid organizations even though an estimated 1.5 million people are facing an escalating humanitarian crisis.

The CrisisWatch report also listed the military campaign between the Sri Lankan army and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, where fighting intensified in March and has trapped up to 190,000 civilians in the violence. North Korea also made the list after an announcement of a planned launch of a communications satellite. The announcement rattled nuclear-disarmament talks with the country.

The CrisisWatch report additionally cited the violent situation that surrounded the assassination of Guinea-Bissau President Joao Bernardo Vieira and the ousting of Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana, along with what it said were deteriorating situations in Kenya, the Central African Republic, Sierra Leone and Northern Ireland.