Sudanese rebels shell South Kordofan capital, 3 civilians killed

April 12, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N rebels on Friday shelled Kadugli the capital of South Kordofan where three people were killed.

The SPLM-N launched ten Katyusha rockets on the eastern part of the town in the afternoon killing three people and wounding 10 others and destroyed several houses in the two neighbourhoods.

The rebel group did not issue an official statement on the attack.

Reached by telephone SPLM-N spokesperson Arnu Ngtullu Loddi told Sudan Tribune he has no information about the shelling.

The rocket-attack comes on the same day where president Al-Bashir was Juba for the first time since the independence of the South Sudan. The visit aimed to pave the way for the normalisation of the bilateral relations as Juba was accused of supporting the SPLM-N rebels.

The Sudanese government recently informed the African Union that it accepts to negotiate with the SPLM-N in order to reach a peaceful settlement for the nearly two-year conflict.

Kadugli commissioner, Abu Albashar Abdel-Gadir called on the Sudanese government to stop the ongoing preparations to hold direct talks with the SPLM-N.

He announced the general mobilisation of the armed forces in the town and stressed that the Sudanese army is capable to repulse any attack.

He further said that such attacks will not hamper the government efforts to develop the state.

The rebel group shelled Kadugli different times since last year.

(ST)