The Sudan People's Liberation Army-North (SPLA-N) assumed responsibility for Friday's bombings in Kadugli, capital of South Kordofan, that left one UN peacekeeper killed and another two injured. Eyewitnesses had previously affirmed that two civilians were also killed as a result of the bombings.

However, Arnu Ngutulu Lodi, SPLA-N spokesman, denied his forces intentionally targeted the UN base “as alleged”. A football stadium was also hit. It is scheduled to host the opening match on Tuesday of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) Kagame Cup tournament.

South Kordofan has been witnessing armed clashes between government forces and rebel groups who want to topple the regime since 2011. Lodi vowed the rebels will “soon liberate Kadugli from the hands of the government forces”.

The incident in the capital of South Kordofan was strongly condemned by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. In a statement, he called on the Sudanese government and rebel forces to immediately cease hostilities and resume the negotiations stalled last month.