Sudan’s defence minister vows to continue military campaign in S Kordofan

May 6, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – During a visit to the Sudanese army troops in the war-torn South Kordofan state, defence minister Abdel Rahim Hussein vowed to continue a military campaign against the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).

Last Monday, the field commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan (Hametti) held similar statements confirming the ongoing preparations to launch new attacks on the SPLM-N positions. He also disclosed the arrival of more militiamen in South Kordofan state.

Addressing his troops at the headquarters of infantry Division 14 in the capital of South Kordofan, Kadugli, Hussein praised the “big victories” achieved by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF troops .

He pointed that the recent operations were synchronised with the victories of the “decisive battle” of Gouz Dango in al–Nikhara, South Darfur on the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

The defence minister further stressed the government determination to continue military operations in South Kordofan state within the framework of the Decisive Summer campaign, “until all the areas are cleared of rebellion,” he said.

Following the re-election of president Omer al-Bashir in April, the government expressed readiness to resume peace talks with the rebel groups after the sworn-in ceremony.

Khartoum had rejected to attend before the elections a preparatory meeting for a comprehensive process including political and armed opposition forces.

Sudanese officials insinuated that the African Union mediation team was supporting the opposition’s demand to postpone the electoral process. Bbut the mediation denied that and stressed that the agenda of the two-day meeting were limited to matters pertaining to the national dialogue process.

(ST)