SPLM-N rejects conditional aid delivery, demands nationwide assistance
May 16, 2024 (JUBA) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, has rejected the Sudanese army’s proposal linking a ceasefire to the delivery of humanitarian aid in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states. The SPLM-N insists on delivering aid to all of Sudan simultaneously and without bias.
Talks between the SPLM-N and the Sudanese army aimed at resolving the humanitarian crisis in the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile regions began Thursday in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
Gatiga Amouja Dalman, spokesperson for the SPLM-N delegation, told Sudan Tribune that his group rejected the army’s proposal made three days ago. The army conditioned aid delivery on a cessation of hostilities. Instead, the SPLM-N proposed delivering aid across Sudan at the same time and without any division.
Dalman stressed the gravity of the situation, stating that Sudan faces a full-blown humanitarian crisis. He estimates that 25 million people need assistance, including 18 million facing food insecurity and 3 million malnourished children. Additionally, there are 6 million internally displaced persons and 1 million refugees within Sudan.
Dalman highlighted the tragic situation in the Zamzam camp in North Darfur, where 13 children are dying daily due to hunger.
Earlier in May, the army and the SPLM-N agreed to negotiate the delivery of humanitarian aid to South Kordofan and Blue Nile, facilitated by the South Sudanese government.
The SPLM-N demands that aid be delivered to all regions of Sudan without ethnic, geographic, or regional bias. They advocate for UN agencies to manage the distribution of this aid.
Dalman further rejected the army’s proposal for a piecemeal approach to addressing the humanitarian crisis. He emphasized that all Sudanese states, including Khartoum, Al-Jazira, Darfur, Kordofan, Nuba Mountains, and Funj, urgently need assistance. He stressed the importance of delivering aid to all these areas simultaneously.
The Sudanese army’s proposal to the South Sudanese mediators included a ceasefire specifically to allow aid access to South and West Kordofan and Blue Nile. This plan would involve land and air corridors with the South Sudanese government acting as a supervisory body.
The government delegation proposed using Kadugli, South Kordofan, El-Obeid of North Kordofan, and Kurmuk in the Blue Nile region as land and air crossing points for aid delivery.
The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) conflict has significantly impacted South Kordofan since April 15th, 2023. The RSF controls the national road leading to Kadugli from North Kordofan, while the SPLM-N controls the areas between Dilling and Kadugli, effectively creating a siege on the city. This situation has led to shortages and a lack of essential goods.
The SPLM-N expanded its control in South Kordofan during the past year after clashes with the army. They also attempted to capture Kadugli, the state capital. However, fighting between the two sides has recently stopped.
In January, the Sudanese army and SPLM-N forces successfully repelled an attack by the RSF on Dilling, the second-largest city in South Kordofan.