Sudan MP says South Darfur capital can fall in rebel hands any time

A member of the Sudanese national assembly suggested that Nyala, capital of South Darfur, could fall in the hands of rebels at “any moment” as the city is besieged by them and it lacks security. Abdullah Ali Masar, former information minister, added that the rebel group Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minawi (SLM-MM) has killed more than 350 Sudanese soldiers and seized another 71 in battles against the government south of Nyala. SLM-MM, however, asserted his forces had killed 170 soldiers and 90 militia in the battles against the government in Abga Radji and in Kashalango, south of Nyala. Radio Dabanga has been reporting frequent incidents surrounding the poor security in Nyala. Merchants are leaving the town in fear of being kidnapped, a local market was recently looted and a train was attacked in the vicinity. The situation is also leading to a shortage in goods at the town and consequently to a rise of prices. Speaking to the media in Khartoum on Thursday, Masar also criticized Khartoum saying the regime, security authorities and armed forces are currently at their “weakest condition” at the federal and state levels. He said that there is a “huge discrepancy” between what President Omar Al Bashir tells the parliament and the situation on the ground.Photo: Parliament building in Khartoum (file photo)Related: Paramilitary force loots market in Nyala, S Darfur (31 March 2013)Gas, goods prices reach ‘unprecedented’ high in S Darfur (20 March 2013)S Darfur traders moving to Sudan capital amid poor security (20 March 2013)‘4,000 flee villages burnt by aerial bombings in S Darfur’ -sources (18 March 2013)