Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Sudan: Rebel group seizes ballot boxes ahead of polls

The rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) announced the seizure of a vehicle loaded with ballots boxes in the troubled South Kordofan state, one week ahead of the general elections.

The SPLM-N call to postpone the election and prioritise a comprehensive negotiated settlement for the conflicts in South Kordofan, Blue Nile states and Darfur region.

The rebel group also vowed to prevent the organisation of the vote in the Two Areas saying it would be part of its contribution for a campaign organised by the opposition forces to boycott the electoral process.

On 4 April, SPLM-N fighters "ambushed and captured a vehicle loaded fully with ballot boxes on kadugli- Dilling road," said a statement extended to Sudan Tribune by the rebel spokesperson Arnu Ngutulu Lodi.

Lodi pointed that the vehicle was heading to Kurgul area, located at 15km west to Dilling town.

He further reiterated they will continue to disrupt the election through military actions and called on the civilians to keep away from military sites saying they are “legitimate targets”.

The SPLM-N and its allied political forces issued a statement on the 30th anniversary of 6 April uprising that brought down former president Jafar Numiri and called to boycott the “fraudulent elections”.

The statement signed by the leaders of Sudan Call forces further said they agreed to develop their activities and intensify efforts to reunite the opposition forces.

The Sudanese army (SAF) didn’t react to the rebel claims, also the election commission kept silent.

However, the pro-government SMC reported on Monday that three states bordering South Sudan, East Darfur, South and West Kordofan agreed to conjugate their efforts to protect the border and secure the three-day electoral process which will start on 13 April.

Sudan accuses its southern neighbour of harbouring rebel groups.

(Sudan Tribune)

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