SPLM-N rebels shell South Kordofan capital

April 14, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – In the second day of elections, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) shelled the capital of South Kordofan state, Kadugli, a Sudanese official confirmed on Tuesday.

The official who requested anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media told Sudan Tribune that seven mortar bombs struck different areas on the outskirts of Kadugli in the morning in a bid to obstruct the electoral process.

He pointed there are no civilian casualties as a result of the selling, adding that three of the seven rockets didn’t explode.

The source said the security situation in the town was normal, adding that the vote operation was not affected by the attack.

On the first day of the vote, Monday, the rebels shelled Dilling another important town in South Kordofan.

The Sudan army spokesperson al-Sawarmi Khalid Sa’ad and the SPLM-N spokesperson Arnu Nuguluti Lodi were not reachable for comment.

The National Election Commission (NEC) spokesperson al-Hadi Mohamed Ahmed confirmed the attack and said the SPLM-N rebels carried out three attempts including one in Habila district to impede the electoral process.

Ahmed said the NEC decided to close three vote centres in the electoral district. He added that the vote continues in other 14 polling stations and the number of voters who casted their ballots reached 2900 out of 17,000 electors.

He also confirmed a rebel attack on Al-Abassiya, adding the Sudan Armed Forces repelled the attack.

The SPLM-N announced earlier this month its intention to disrupt the elections in South Kordofan in solitary with a boycott campaign launched by the opposition parties across the country.

The three-day electoral process will terminate on Wednesday, but the NEC decide to extend the vote for certain areas where the operation faced some logistical delay.

(ST)