SPLM-N commander dismisses rumours about internal conflicts

Deputy commander-general of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) Abdelaziz Adam El Hilu has dismissed rumours circulating in the Sudanese media that he was recently removed from his post because of internal conflicts.

He told Radio Dabanga in an interview to be broadcast today that “those allegations are only wishful thinking by the ruling National Congress Party and its affiliates”.

The former SPLM-N chief of staff. pointed out that the recent reshuffle was part of the usual internal arrangements that happen regularly in any active organisation. “Those who do not believe it, should re-read the SPLM-N statement that announces my assignment as deputy commander-general, and that of Brigadier Jogod Mekwar as chief of staff.”

El Hilu said that “it is the NCP that suffers from differences and divisions, not the rebel movement”.

“SPLM-N is currently stronger and more coherent than ever before”, he stated. “During the past two years we have maintained our positions and managed to liberate more areas than ever before in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

“The Rapid Support Forces militias, recruited and trained since mid 2013 in order to eliminate the rebels in the country have not achieved any victory so far.”

Fighting broke out between the SPLM-N and Sudanese government forces in South Kordofan in June 2011, and spread to the Blue Nile state in September.

This ‘new war’ saw the mobilisation of thousands of men and huge quantities of weapons, aerial bombardments, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people to date.