Sudanese army to raise the state of alert in war areas

November 24, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese army has pledged to raise the state of preparedness in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile saying it would actively seek to recapture the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) stronghold of Kauda.

Sudan’s defence minister Awad Ibn Ouf said the army would continue to deploy troops across the country to promote border protection, pointing they mainly aim to protect the eastern, southern and northern borders in order to preserve people’s lives and property.

Ibn Ouf, who laid out his ministry’s 2016 plan before the parliament Tuesday, added those objectives would be carried out in close and continued coordination with the ministries of interior and foreign affairs and the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

He pointed out that the army would be put in its highest level in order to maintain security and stability in Darfur by defeating the remaining rebel pockets in Jebel Marra, saying the army will be ready to deal with any contingencies there.

The defence minister also pledged to remove the rebel pockets in Blue Nile particularly in areas along the border with South Sudan besides areas west and south of Kurmuk and to prevent the rebels from reaching Ingassana Hills.

“The army would continue to defeat the rebels in South Kordofan and disturb their supply lines from the state of South Sudan and to actively seek to restore the rebel stronghold of Kauda,” he added.

He further pledged to tribal conflicts in coordination with the police and the NISS, saying they would deploy urgent troops to the conflicts zones and provide the command and control stations with the latest communication technologies and equipments.

Ibn Ouf said the plan also aims to recruit capable and qualified personnel and remove the ineffective elements in order to build a modern army that keeps abreast with the national aspirations and interests and the scientific advances.

The defence minister also the plan would seek to achieve several goals including adopting continuous training approach, providing latest technologies, improving the work environment and providing health services for all army personnel.

The Sudanese army and its allied militias have been fighting a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

Also, the border states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile state have been the scene of a violent conflict since 2011 when fighting broke out between the SPLM-N and Sudanese army.

The latest rounds of separate talks this week between the Sudanese government and the Darfur rebels and the SPLM-N have stalled over issues pertaining to the security, humanitarian and political arrangements.