SPLM-N puts army on high alert ahead of summer military campaign

October 16, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) Friday put its army on high alert to defend its positions in the Two Areas, citing preparations by the Sudanese government army to launch a new summer military camp.

In a series of meetings that lasted for a week held in rebel controlled areas this month, the SPLA-N military command chaired by the SPLA chief of general staff Gen. Gagod Mukwar discussed reports received about the movements and plans of the government troops and adopted plans to repel the attacks and protect its positions.

“The SPLA commander-in-chief has declared a state of maximum alert, including cancellation of leaves of officers and troops in order to defend civilians and crush the summer military campaign,” said a statement released by the SPLA-N general staff.

“The SPLM-N leadership directed all its institution and external offices to mobilize all the resources to defend civilians, denounce the summer military campaign and war crimes that the regime continues to commit,” the statement further said.

Sudanese president announced recently a two month ceasefire and expressed readiness to extend it within the framework of confidence building measures before to involve the rebel groups in a national conference dedicated to discuss issues of peace and democratic reforms.

However, the SPLA reported the continuation of air and ground attacks on its positions in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, saying civilians and farms were the principal target of the government forces.

According to the statement, the general staff held a joint meeting with the SPLM-N leader Malik Agar, his deputy Abel Aziz al-Hilu and secretary general Yasir Arman to discuss the military plans.

Also al-Hilu presented a strategic plan to build the SPLA and to enable it to fulfil its duties.

Regional and international efforts to end the four-year conflict are deadlocked as the Sudanese government refuses the opposition’s demand for preparatory meeting to discuss matters and procedures related to the national dialogue process.

However, the chief mediator and head of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) plans to hold a meeting for the Sudanese parties next month in Addis Ababa to discuss ways to end war and engage them in an inclusive process.

(ST)