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KADUGLI - 19 Sep 2013

Nuba Mountains group defects from SPLA-N

A group of rebels in the Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan, Sudan, has reportedly defected from the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army, North (SPLA-N) forces and intends to negotiate with the government of Sudan.

According to a source, a rebel group calling itself the “Real Stakeholders” has defected from the SPLA-N and entered into negotiations with the government with the aim to bring about peace in Nuba Mountains.

In a press conference, the leader of the dissidents, Abdelgadir Firga, confirmed that they have already engaged in talks with the Sudanese government. “We want to sign a peace treaty as we have felt the government’s readiness to put an end to the bloodshed in South Kordofan through dialogue.”

The rebel group appealed to the government of South Sudan to stop backing the SPLA-N rebels and play a positive role in the peace process in South Kordofan. Abdelgadir also called on the international community to intervene and support the peace process in the Nuba Mountains.

The spokesperman of the SPLA-N, Arno Ngtulu Lodi, described the dissidents as “a group of all positions”.

“That group does not have any influence on the ground. The same group, calling itself the Real Stakeholders earlier has attempted to join the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), but they were not accepted.” Lodi explained.

File photo: UN Photo/Fred Noy

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SPLM-N denies peace rumors with Khartoum 'as bombings continue' (9 August 2013)