Following the independence of South Sudan, Insight on Conflict will be producing a weekly round-up of the news. To subscribe to receive the updates via email, please contact joel@insightonconflict.org or complete the form below.
News roundup
- Fighting continued in Blue Nile last week between the Sudanese Army and fighters loyal to the opposition SPLM-North party. Sudan has blocked international aid agencies from entering the affected area. The violence has displaced at least 50,000 people, according to the UN.
- The SPLM-North claim that the Sudanese Army has killed at least 50 civilians in the Nuba Mountains. Last week, the SPLM-North called for the overthrow of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
- The US has said that continued violence in South Kordofan and Blue Nile is hindering its attempts to normalise relations with north Sudan.
- Both North and South Sudan have agreed to withdraw their troops from Abyei by the end of the month.
- The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), the largest Darfur rebel group, believe a joint Sudan-Chad offensive against their positions in Darfur is imminent. JEM leader, Khalil Ibrahim, returned to Darfur from Libya last week.
- Thirteen police officers were killed in an attempt to rescue hostages in Darfur.
News in detail
Abyei
BBC: Sudan, South Sudan to pull out troops from Abyei - UN 9 Sept: Sudan and newly independent South Sudan have agreed to withdraw their troops from the disputed town of Abyei by the end of the month, the UN says. Read more
North Sudan
VOA: In Sudan, calls to overthrow Bashir 08 Sept: The party of former rebels in Sudan is calling for the overthrow of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. Read more
Reuters: Sudan bans publication of newspaper edition - editor 08 Sept: Sudanese security forces have banned an independent newspaper from publishing its entire Thursday edition, its editor said. Read more
Blue Nile
Reuters: US says situation in Sudan border area very dangerous 07 Sept: The United States is urging Sudan and armed opposition groups in Blue Nile state to immediately start talks to end fighting, the U.S. Special envoy for Sudan said on Wednesday. Read more
AFP: Heavy fighting erupts in Sudan conflict town - witness 07 Sept: Heavy fighting erupted in the capital of Sudan's embattled Blue Nile state on Tuesday evening, a witness said, a day after the newly installed military governor declared that the security situation had returned to normal. Read more
AFP: Sudan bars aid agencies' access to conflict state 08 Sept: Sudan has denied UN and other aid agencies access to Blue Nile state, where at least 50,000 people have been displaced by fighting that erupted last week, the UN humanitarian office said on Wednesday. Read more
South Kordofan
Bloomberg: Sudan Army kills more than 50 civilians in Nuba Mountains, opposition says 11 Sept: More than 50 civilians were killed by the Sudanese army in the Nuba Mountains in the state of Southern Kordofan, said a spokesman for the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, an opposition group. Read more
South Sudan
AFP: South Sudan opposition warns against oil dependency 08 Sept: Newly-independent South Sudan's opposition warned Thursday of rising inflation and food shortages caused by the government's dependence on oil revenues and failure to develop other sectors. Read more
Darfur
Sudan Tribune: Rebels call for non-fly zone in Blue Nile, Darfur and South Kordofan 04 Sept: Darfur rebels today urged international community to impose a no-fly zone and to establish safe corridors to provide civilians, in the Blue Nile, Darfur and Southern Kordofan, with humanitarian assistance. They also urged democratic forces to join them in their efforts to change Bashir’s regime. Read more
BBC: Sudan police killed in Darfur hostage rescue attempt 09 Sept: At least 13 Sudanese policemen have been killed trying to rescue hostages in Darfur, officials say. Read more
AFP: Darfur rebel group warns of joint Sudan-Chad attack 10 Sept: Darfur's most heavily armed rebel group warned Friday the governments of Chad and Sudan were planning a joint attack on their positions, after 100 rebel vehicles reportedly crossed the Libyan border. Read more
Reuters: Darfur rebel leader returns from Libyan refuge 11 Sept: A major rebel group in Sudan's troubled region of Darfur said on Sunday its leader Khalil Ibrahim has returned after leaving his Libyan refuge following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime. Read more
