South Kordofan bans trade with rebel-held areas

September 7, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The governor of South Kordofan on Monday issued a decree prohibiting trade with the population in the rebel controlled areas, adding it may constitute offences that may result in the death penalty.

“Anyone who commits the crime of trafficking with armed groups rebelling against the State shall be punished by death penalty or life imprisonment with confiscation of his assets and means used to commit the crime” said the decree.

The decree however gives the possibility to sentence the traders with short-term imprisonment or the imposition of a fine.

Since 2011, the Sudanese government army and militias fight against the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement -North (SPLM-N) which controls several areas in the South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

The Sudanese authorities refused to allow the establishment of humanitarian camps for the internally displaced persons and banned humanitarian access to the civilians in the rebel held areas.

The officials say they want to avoid political instrumentalisation of camps’ residents by the rebels citing the case of Darfur. Also they say the SPLA rebels in the past took advantage of Sudan Lifeline operation in South Sudan to feed their fighters and to legitimate their control over civilians.

The decree says the confiscated funds, goods or commodities will be used to benefit the South Kordofan state. However, it stipulates that 40% of the confiscated items should be allocated to the military force that conducted the operation.

The Sudanese government recently declared a two-month ceasefire, but at the same time keeps mobilising troops from the army and the Rapid Support Forces militiamen who are more and more involved in the fight in South Kordofan.

(ST)