Sudan’s SPLM urges disarmament of Blue Nile militia

October 1, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in Blue Nile State has called for the disarmament of some militias in the state and for the necessity of keeping weapons in the hands of regular forces.

The SPLM’s secretary-general in Blue Nile State, Jabir Bakhit, said the SPLM did not have any militias in the state and called for the formation of a military committee for disarmament.

Meanwhile, the SPLM reiterated its demand for the pro-National Congress Party, paramilitary Popular Defence Forces (PDF) to join the armed forces. He said the SPLM still had reservations about the PDF and further indicated that weapons were still in the hands of some nomadic Arab tribes.

Bakhit further affirmed that 75 per cent of the SPLA forces had been withdrawn to the pre-1956 borders south of Al-Kurmuk and that the remaining forces were awaiting the completion of some procedures. He further reiterated the SPLA’s commitment in this regard.

(ST)