SPLM-N rebels rescue 5-year-old girl in Blue Nile state

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) handed a girl (5) found in the bush near Wad Abuk in Blue Nile state to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Saturday.

Early that month fighting erupted in the area of Wad Abuk, south of the state capital Ed Damazin, between Sudanese government forces and SPLM-N combatants.

After the government forces withdrew on 12 June, a rebel commander found Iman Fadlelmoula Mohamed Fadlelmoula hiding in the bush, Mubarak Ardol, spokesman for the SPLM-N reported in a press release on Saturday.

The officer found Iman in poor health, after she had been separated from her family. Combatants of the 4^th division then took her to a family living in the neighbourhood to be taken care of.

At the same time, the SPLM-N contacted the ICRC to facilitate the return of the girl to her relatives

“We are happy to announce that on 13 August the SPLM-N handed Iman to ICRC representatives, who will return her to her family,” Ardol stated.

“The SPLM-N is reaffirming its commitment to its legacy, to the safety of all the people in Sudan, and to following all international laws and conventions regarding the protection of children and civilians during the armed conflicts.”

The rebel spokesman added that the SPLM-N is “still prepared to uphold its promise” to release 20 detained government forces and 22 mining workers, and hand them to the ICRC. “We are only waiting for the technical procedures to finish the process.”