Reports of new clashes in Central and North Darfur states
December 13, 2014 (EL-FASHER) – Holdout rebels clashed this week with the Sudanese army in North and Central Darfur states, as the African mediation prepare to resume talks for a comprehensive cessation of hostilities in Addis Ababa.
The spokesperson of the Sudan Liberation Movement –Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW), Mustafa Tamboor told Sudan Tribune they repelled a military convoy of the Sudan Armed Forces that attempted to enter into Jaldo a rebel-held area in central Darfur state last Thursday.
Tamboor added they killed soldiers and seized five four-wheel drive vehicles loaded with weapons and ammunition and destroyed six other vehicles.
The rebel spokesperson further said eight of their fighters were killed during the clashes, stressing that they are on high alert after the failure of the first round of talks between two rebel groups and the government to reach a cessation of hostilities agreement.
The African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), earlier this December, suspended the talks on a cessation of hostilities as the two parties failed to agree on the agenda of the talks.
The SLM-AW is not part in this process which only includes SLM-Minni Minnawi and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). The government refused a demand of rebel groups to include some matters related to the region, saying all these issues are already dealt in the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur.
In North Darfur state, a new rebel group gathering some faction of the Sudan liberation Movement called Sudan People’s Liberation Front (SPLF) said they clashed with the Sudanese troops near Kutum county which lies 120 kilometres northwest of the state capital, El-Fashir.
SPLF spokesperson Mohamed Ibrahim said Friday their fighters clashed with government soldiers on two military vehicles, adding the fighting led to the deaths of six soldiers, while three members of his troops were killed.
The SPLF is not part of the AUHIP brokered peace talks, but they welcomed the process saying it represents an important step towards a comprehensive solution in Sudan.
The African mediation prepares to resume the Darfur track during the upcoming weeks with new proposals to the two parties.
(ST)