SPLM-N Hilu denies civilian abuses in Kauda
May 8, 2026 (KAUDA) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu denied on Friday accusations of committing abuses against civilians in its stronghold of Kauda, South Kordofan, describing the recent violence as a localized mutiny within its ranks.
In a statement, the group attributed the instability in the region, a key military and administrative hub for the movement, to long-standing land disputes and border demarcation issues that escalated into a military rebellion.
The movement stated that clashes began on March 12 after “concrete markers” were removed during a boundary dispute between the Akoroa and Shwaya tribes in the Debi area.
The SPLM-N said that while it deployed troops to separate the warring parties, several officers refused orders to report to the General Staff for investigation. This refusal led to the formation of a “rebel group” that engaged in combat with regular SPLM-N forces, which the movement classified as a mutiny under its 2018 military law.
“The measures taken fall within the legal framework of the military institution and do not target any specific tribal component,” the statement read, adding that the leadership was acting with “wisdom and restraint.”
However, the Nuba Mountains Media Executive Office abroad expressed grave concern over what it described as serious violations against civilians in Kauda. In a separate statement, the office called for an urgent and independent international investigation.
Citing local testimonies, the office reported acts of violence, including the burning of homes and schools, looting of property, and forced displacement. It warned that these actions “may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity” under international law and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The media office added that unconfirmed reports alleged the involvement of high-ranking military figures, including Abdel Aziz al-Hilu himself. Activists have reportedly submitted documentation of the incidents to the ICC, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch.
The SPLM-N urged residents to exercise restraint and stay away from clash zones, vowing to maintain stability and prevent the region from sliding into chaos.