SLM-Minnawi denies reports of fresh split within the group

June 21, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The rebel Sudan Liberation Movement – Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) denied reports by the Sudanese government about a split of two commanders who handed over their weapons to the government army.

The official news agency SUNA reported on 18 June that two rebel commanders and eight fighters from Minnawi’s group handed over two vehicles loaded with military equipment to the Sixth Infantry Division of the Sudan Armed Forces in El Fasher, capital of North Darfur state.

A former rebel commander, Iman Ibrahim, stated they decided to break away from the SLM-MM to express their desire for real peace, security and stability in Darfur, and called on the other rebels to follow their move.

The official spokesperson of the SLM-MM, Abdullah Mursal; denied this “false and fabricated news” and accused the Sudanese security service of being behind it.

Mursal further told Sudan Tribune they do not know the “fake names” mentioned in the report.

“There is no such names among the movement leadership and there is no individuals or leaders who broke away from the movement,” he said.

Clashes between Minnawi fighters and Sudanese army and government militia in March and April 2014 displaced over 81,000 people in South and North Darfur, according to the UN agencies.

Minni Minnawi last May reaffirmed they refuse to hold peace talks with the government on Darfur conflict and called to back a roadmap proposed by the allied rebel groups for negotiations on the issues of Darfur and the Two Areas, followed by a national constitutional conference.

(ST)