Darfur rebels accuse splinter commanders of joining Sudanese army

February 21, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The rebel Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur (SLM-AW) accused splinter commanders of taking part in recent government attacks against its positions in Jebel Marra saying this triggered displacement of thousands of civilians.

Since last summer, the Sudanese army has been carrying out regular attack on troops loyal to Abdel Wahid Al-Nur in the mountainous area considered as the stronghold for his group since 2003. Also some commanders, reportedly supported by the US envoy to Sudan, have fought their comrades over Nur’s refusal to participate in the Doha peace process.

Nimir Mohamed Abdel-Rahaman, SLA-AW military spokesman, in a statement released on Saturday accused splinter commanders “supported by US Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration” of taking part in four recent attacks on their positions by the Sudanese army and militiamen.

According to Nimir “defected leader of SLM/A led by Mohamed Ibrahim know as Wad Kailik and his forces” took part in an attack carried out on their position in West Jebel Marra in Boldong, Kutrum. “After they were defeated by our forces, they fled to Kass and are now in Sudan Government Military bases with three other SLM leaders who are defectors,” he added.

Other splinter commanders, Babikir Dali, Osman Yousif Abu Tawaila and Adam Idriss participated in the attack carried out in the part of Jebel Marra in North Darfur. The military spokesman said they are now in El-Fasher, capital of North Darfur, following the defeat of their attack.

On 13 and 14 February, Sudanese troops attempted twice to take control of Aradyeb Al-Asharah, located in northern Jebel Marra in North Darfur state. But the rebels have successfully driven back the government forces.

Nimir further said breakaway commanders Osman Ibrahim and Abdelraheem Mohamed Adam took part in the Government attack on their position in Katur and Dobo Al Umda in the eastern part of Jebel Marra. “They fled to Malam and are now in Sudanese army military bases,” he added.

Information received by Sudan Tribune from multiple sources in the region including rights activists and aid workers say the human rights situation remains very serious in Jebel Marra. “Yet the government is systematically burning villages, raping women and looting with the help of the Janjaweed,” it was reported.

The Sudanese army troops and allied militias last week took control of Kidneer in southern Jebel Marra. “The government force has camped in the school of the town and put big guns in the highest parts of the area such as Unsa, Karitugo, Kirongo,” it added.

The source cited the names of six women allegedly “forcefully used for multiple purposes including rape.”

Over 200 people were killed in the area as the assailants displaced Kidneer inhabitants together with IDPs from neighboring Kailla, Jebara and other villages who were leaving in the area before the attack.

The civilians at first moved from Kedneer to Faina but when the government force captured this area too they scattered in Kisso and Maghamagu near Dulo, three days ago.

The rebel spokesman said the Sudanese forces also assaulted SLA-AW positions in Kidneer, Leiba and Faina, in the southern part of Jebel Marra and he accused the forces of Abu Algasim Imam, a former rebel turned governor of West Darfur, of taking part in these attacks.

(ST)