Sudan declares general mobilisation after Heglig clash

April 11, 2012 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan’s parliament declared a general mobilisation to recruit people into its army and paramilitaries across the country after the seizure of an oil rich area in South Kordofan yesterday by the South Sudan army.

The decision was taken in an extraordinary session of the two houses (the National Assembly and the Council of States) after being briefed by the Sudanese Defence Minister Abdel-Rahim Hussein.

Hussein vowed to repulse South Sudanese troops and Sudanese rebels who, according to the minister, participated in the attack.

The parliament also decided to withdraw its negotiating delegation and to stop talks brokered by an African Union panel to settle a number of issues between the two countries since the independence of South Sudan last July.

The atmosphere in the Sudanese capital is charged with tension and preparation for war, a resident told Sudan Tribune from Khartoum.

(ST)