‘SPLM-N rebels not integrated in Sudan army’

Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir said any peace deal with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) would not include the integration of the rebel combatants in the Sudanese regular forces.

Al Bashir further described the South Sudanese government as Sudan’s “enemy”, in a sign of growing tensions over slow implementation of the joint agreements between the two countries. He addressed the force of the Sudanese security apparatus on Sunday.

The President claimed that South Sudan is still targeting his country, and that it does not want to implement the 2012 Joint Cooperation Agreements signed by the two Sudans.

'SPLM-N not integrated'

Any peace agreement signed with the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) would not include the integration of its fighters into the Sudanese army (SAF), Al Bashir stressed, claiming that the rebels are still part of South Sudan's army.

“They were supposed to be given their rights and then hand over their guns so that they come to us with their hands, but they didn’t do so. They want us to negotiate with them, but there will not be any integration of rebels,” he added.

In the meeting with the intelligence and security service, the President threatened to impose peace and stability across the country in the coming dry season by all means.

He also rejected any new initiative for dialogue, saying whoever wants to join the National Dialogue must come and register his or her name, while calling on those taking up arms for political ends to join the peace process.

In August, the Addis Ababa negotiations between the Sudanese government and the armed movements reached a stalemate, with each party accusing the other of ‘obstruction’. 

(Source: Radio Tamazuj)