SPLM-N denies attack on South Kordofan stronghold
December 1, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s rebel Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) has denied reports that the Sudanese army carried out attacks on Kauda in South Kordofan state.
Kauda, the stronghold of the SPLM-N rebels, is located 92 km to the east of South Kordofan’s capital Kadugli.
Media reports on Sunday spoke of heavy fighting around Kauda saying that Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) this weekend launched an attack and destroyed SPLM-N troops backed with heavy weapons.
Informed sources told Morgan network, a pro government news outlet that the SPLM-N lost several T-55 tanks, logistical support vehicles, fuel tankers, and a large number of dead and injured, saying that wounded soldiers were taken to Kauda.
But the SPLM-N spokesperson, Arnu Ngutulu, denied in statement to Sudan Tribune the outbreak of fighting around Kauda. He stressed that clashes took place last week around Kujuria and Wali areas, pointing that the SPLM-N issued a statement at the time speaking of SAF’s defeat in those clashes.
The Sudanese army has not commented on these reports but the commander of the 18th infantry division in the white Nile state, Muntasir Sabeel, announced on Saturday victories of SAF in several positions.
Adam, who was addressing troops returning from battle zones in Abu Kershola, South Kordofan state, said that troops returned victorious and with high morale, pointing that another army division would leave for the battle zones in South Kordofan.
South Kordofan’s conflict erupted in June 2011 when Sudan attempted to forcibly disarm SPLM-N fighters it accuses of being backed by their brother-in-arms in the South Sudanese army.
Since, the two parties failed to engage peace talks to reach a negotiated settlement. The difference over the agenda of the negotiations and the humanitarian crisis hamper the efforts of the African Union mediation to bring the two parties to the negotiating table.
On Sunday, Sudanese government sources denied receiving official notification from the African mediation stating that negotiations with the SPLM-N would convene on December 11.
The sources, which is close to the process, further stressed that the government team is ready to join the negotiations when a definitive date is determined.
On Friday, the SPLM-N secretary general and chief negotiator Yasir Arman said they had been informed that the African Union High Level Implementation (AUHIP) would invite the Sudanese government and the rebel movement to meet in Addis Ababa in from 11 to 15 December.
Sudanese government chief negotiator Ibrahim Gandour recently announced their readiness to discuss a peaceful settlement for the conflict in the Two Areas but refuses the rebel demand for comprehensive talks.
Last April, the first round of talks since 2011 between the SPLM-N and the Sudanese government in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa adjourned without success in bridging the wide gap between the two sides.
(ST)