Sudanese government and SPLM-N agree on humanitarian aid delivery

May 4, 2024 (JUBA) – In a breakthrough development, the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), led by Abdul Aziz al-Hilu, agreed on Saturday to deliver humanitarian aid to conflict-affected areas in South Kordofan State.

This marks the first direct meeting between the two sides since the war began. Lieutenant General Shams al-Din Kabbashi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Army and member of the Sovereign Council met with al-Hilu in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. Their discussions focused on the ongoing crisis in Sudan, with a particular emphasis on solutions for delivering humanitarian aid and achieving a political resolution.

The Sovereignty Council’s media office stated, “Both parties agreed to facilitate the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid in government- and SPLM-N controlled areas, respectively.” A follow-up meeting will be held within a week between the government and the SPLM-N delegations to finalize a formal agreement outlining the logistics of aid delivery in the Two Areas.

Sanaa Philip Matar, the spokesperson for the SPLM-N, confirmed the meeting and the agreement on humanitarian aid access to SPLM-N-controlled areas. Matar highlighted the displacement crisis, stating that over 600,000 people have fled to SPLM-N-held territory in the Nuba Mountains, with an additional 50,000 displaced by ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces seeking refuge in SPLM-N-controlled areas of Blue Nile State (New Funj Province).

The conflict has heavily impacted South Kordofan. The Rapid Support Forces control Al-Quz, which borders North Kordofan, while armed groups have taken advantage of the security vacuum, expanding their influence in localities like Dilling, Abbasiya, and Abu Karshula.

President Salva Kiir’s security advisor, Tut Gatluak, reported that al-Hilu expressed openness to dialogue with civilian delegations seeking solutions to the broader Sudanese crisis.

Gatluak clarified that the discussions between al-Hilu and Kabbashi centred on resolving the crisis and addressing the humanitarian situation. The agreed-upon immediate delivery of aid will cover both government and SPLM-N-controlled areas, with a dedicated delegation meeting within a week to finalize the operational details.

While the military coup in 2021 derailed previous attempts to reach an agreement with the SPLM-N, which is in active conflict with the military in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, a declaration of principles was signed earlier that year between al-Hilu and General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. This declaration outlined the state’s commitment to religious neutrality and the integration of SPLM-N fighters into the Sudanese army by the end of the transitional period.