Fears for renewed fighting in Sudan’s South Kordofan, Blue Nile

The Sudanese government has reportedly transported new military equipment to its forces in the war-torn southern states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

Several Blue Nile residents reported to Radio Tamazuj that the government forces stationed in Malkan, Geissan, and in the area of Kurmuk received loads of equipment during the past few days.

They expressed their fear for renewed fighting between government troops and fighters of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) after peace negotiations for the Two Areas failed in Addis Ababa in November.

Concerning South Kordofan, multiple sources reported the arrival of military reinforcements in the state capital. “Tanks and other military vehicles carrying hundreds of militiamen arrived in Kadugli.”

The mounting tensions come after Defence Minister Awad Ibn Auf told Members of the federal Parliament that the areas controlled by the SPLM-N “will be liberated through a massive military operation”.

Presidential Aide Mahmoud Ibrahim Hamid stated last week that the unilateral ceasefire announced by Khartoum in September has expired.

The SPLM-N has mobilised its forces in both states in anticipation of a major government offensive.

Fighting broke out between the SPLM-N and Sudanese army units in South Kordofan in June 2011. Three months later, army troops attacked SPLM-N positions in Blue Nile.

On 23 November, the AU mediation team announced the collapse of the tenth round of peace talks between the Sudanese government and the SPLM-N on the Two Areas.