The emir of the western Nuba Mountains area in Lagawa locality in Sudan’s West Kordofan state has called on local youths to call off their sit-in against lack of government services.

For the last 80 days, local youths have occupied the Lagawa town square demanding the government provide basic services to citizens or they will not participate in Sudan's elections scheduled for April.

Emir Tutu Abdullah Kafi told Radio Tamazuj that the state government has started to build dams, bridges, and water reservoirs in the locality.

He further said other development projects would be implemented soon, but on condition of calling off the sit-in protests immediately.

In early December, Tutu Abdullah and another member of the national parliament representing Lagawa locality reportedly joined the protests and voiced support for the strike.

Tutu urged the youths to call off the strike as long as the authorities have accepted to implement development projects in the area, while advising the local authorities to adhere the pledges they made to the citizens.