SPLM-N claims repelling fresh government attack in Sudan’s Blue Nile state

October 30, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) rebels on Friday said their forces repulsed a new government attack against the strategic area of Jebel Kolgo, 45 kilometres south west of the Blue Nile state capital of Ed-Damazin.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Friday, SPLM-N official spokesperson, Arnu Ngutulu Lodi, said their 4th front in the Ingassana Hills repulsed an attack carried out by a government brigade supported with eight tanks and many mounted cars at Jebel Kolgo in Bau County.

He said that the battle continued from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm (local time), pointing their forces managed to defeat the government army and inflicted on them heavy losses in lives and equipments.

Lodi added the government forces fled to Ed-Damazin leaving behind 20 dead bodies and large amounts of ammunition, noting that one of the SPLM-N soldiers was slightly wounded in the clashes.

Last September, SPLM-N said they repelled a government attack against Jebel Kolgo, noting the area witnessed previous government attacks on 19 August, 14 June, 11 and 22 May and 23 April.

It should be recalled that Jebel Kolgo lies in a rough terrain and is considered an important location for the SPLM-N.

SPLM-N spokesperson further said their forces are on high alert and closely following the government troops in order to discredit the “propaganda ceasefire decree” issued by president Omer al-Bashir.

Last month Bashir declared a two-month cessation of hostilities in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur. Later he expressed readiness to declare a permanent ceasefire given that rebels show desire for achieving peace.

Also, the rebel umbrella Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) declared a six-month cessation of hostilities and expressed readiness to negotiate the details of this truce with the government ahead of peace talks.

Blue Nile and neighbouring South Kordofan state have been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and the Sudanese army since 2011.

The Sudanese government and rebel group failed to reach a cessation of hostilities agreement after a series of talks brokered by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) in November 2014.

Since, the fighting between the warring parties resumed in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

The two sides will resume talks in Addis Ababa in mid-November.

The SPLM-N and Darfur groups members of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) announced on 18 October a six-month truce and called on Khartoum to discuss with them the monitoring mechanisms.

(ST)