Sudan Says SPLM-N Rebels Massing Troops in South Kordofan

Sudan President Omar Hassan al-Bashir speaking at a youth rally of the ruling National Congress Party on April 18, 2012. The president said that they would have to liberate the south if provocations continue., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Sudan Says SPLM-N Rebels Massing Troops in S. Kordofan

15 JUNE 2013

Khartoum — The local authorities at the town of Buram in South Kordofan state said today that the rebel Sudanese Peoples' Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) is buliding up troops in Fama area three kilometers away from the headquarters of the locality.

SPLM-N fighters hold up their rifles near Jebel Kwo village in the rebel-held territory of the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan, May 2, 2012. (photo Goran Tomasevic Reuters)

The mayor of Buram locality, Salah Daoudari Kafi, told the pro-government Sudan Media Center (SMC), that large numbers of SPLM-N troops estimated to be a full company (three to five platoons) came from Al-Obayid lake area six days ago and stationed in Fama awaiting instructions from the SPLM-N leadership.

He said that the logistical support and food supplies for the SPLM-N rebels are coming directly from South Sudan through the field commanders, pointing out that the southern army hasn't disengaged with the 9th division of the SPLM-N after South Sudan's secession.

Kafi further disclosed that local citizens are living in a "tragic" situation due to food shortages because existing forces share their food supplies.

Since 2011, SPLM-N has fought the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and their aligned militia the Popular Defence Forces (PDF) in South Kordofan state.

In late April, rebels of the umbrella group Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) who aim to topple the regime of President Omer Hassan al-Bashir took control of Abu-Kershola as part of a wide offensive that saw them briefly occupying North Kordofan second largest town of Um Rawaba.

The attack was significant given the fact that rebel activity has been mostly limited to the states of Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan. Residents said that the rebels were met with little resistance from government forces there.