Clashes broke out in parts of Sudan’s South Kordofan state at the weekend, two southern officials and the United Nations said, the latest eruption of violence as the south prepares to secede. South Kordofan, which lies in northern territory, has been seen as a possible flashpoint in the countdown to the split scheduled for July 9. Khartoum has threatened to clear out southern-allied armed groups from the state.
Southern officials have downplayed links to militias in South Kordofan, saying the forces there are northerners and so Juba cannot tell them to withdraw south. The United Nations received reports that shooting broke out in the village of Umm Dorain on Sunday and that a police station was attacked in the town of Kadugli late on Saturday, spokeswoman Hua Jiang said.
“There were reports of shooting in Umm Dorain, which took place late morning,” she said, adding military observers would conduct a patrol to gather details. Two officials with the southern ruling party contacted by Reuters confirmed clashes had taken place in Umm Dorain, and accused Khartoum of attacking the village. A spokesman for the northern army was not immediately available to comment.
“NCP (National Congress Party) attacked this morning in Umm Dorain and yesterday night in Kadugli, but it is quiet now,” an official with the southern ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), said.