SPLM-N says government forces breached S. Kordofan truce
July 15, 2016 (KHARTOUM). Sudan People’s Liberation Movement- North (SPLM-N) on Friday accused Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) of violating the unilateral cessation of hostilities announced by President al- Bashir last June.
SPLM-N Spokesperson Arnu Ngulutu Lodi said that the government forces launched several attacks against their position in South Kordofan .The most recent attack was on Lima area west of Kadugli town on Thursday.
In a statement he extended to Sudan Tribune, Lodi said they repelled the assailants who came from Kelak area, adding they “suffered losses in lives and equipment” that have not yet been counted”.
Also he said that the government forces based Kelak had attacked the farmers in Lima area on 11 July killing a lady, Fatima Ibrahim, and wounded her husband.
The rebel spokesperson reported a third attack that occurred on 10 July, saying SAF “artillery unit from inside Al-dandor garrison fired several long-range shells on Oma and Um-Dravy areas west Heiban town resulting in the destruction of many farms and caused horror and fear among the civilian”.
He stressed that these attacks prove that the announced unilateral cessation of hostilities “is nothing but cheap smokescreen media propaganda”,.
Lodi pointed that peace slogans raised by the ruling National Congress Party are “lies” that aims to distract attention and prolong the regime’s stay in power.
He went further to say that government forces attacked farms to prevent civilians from earning their living while it deprives them from accessing humanitarian aid since 2011.
SAF spokesperson was not reachable for comment.
The fighting between the SPLM-N and the government forces has been taking place in different fronts in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, where the government has been in war with the rebels of the SPLM-N since June 2011.
The two parties failed to strike a peace deal despite the five-year peace process brokered by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel led by the former South African President Thabo Mbeki.
(ST)