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New Sudan (territory)
Territory under the de facto control of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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New Sudan refers to the areas of Sudan under the effective control of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North (Al-Hilu) during the Sudanese civil war.
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Background
During the course of the ongoing Sudanese civil war, and as a result of its political divisiveness, the concept of New Sudan has become a substantial and significant element of the political philosophy of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N), a reconstituted faction of the SPLM.[3]
Territorial control
Summarize
Perspective
In June 2024 Nicholas Casey of The New York Times was allowed in the Nuba Mountains stronghold of the SPLM-N led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu. Casey reported that civil war had distracted the SAF from attacking the SPLM-N and allowed the SPLM-N to go on the offensive, capturing territory "at a steady pace". It calls the territory it controls "New Sudan". Its capital is Kauda, a farming town.[3]
History
On 8 June 2023, the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) began mobilizing around Kadugli, moving into several army camps and prompting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to reinforce its positions despite a Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) blockade.[4] This prompted fears of a new front in the conflict despite the group regularly agreeing to annual ceasefire agreements.[5]
On 21 June 2023, the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) broke its ceasefire agreement and attacked Sudanese army units in South Kordofan, particularly in Kadugli and in al-Dalanj, the latter coinciding with an attack by the RSF. The army claimed to have repelled the attacks,[6] while the rebels claimed to have attacked in retaliation for the death of one of their soldiers at the hands of the SAF and vowed to free the region from "military occupation."[7] On 25 June, the group attacked SAF positions in Kurmuk, Blue Nile State, near the border with Ethiopia.[8][7]
In July 2023, despite an appeal by South Sudanese president Salva Kiir to cease its attacks,[9] the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) seized several army garrisons and an oil field in South Kordofan[10] and blocked the road leading from Karkal to Kadugli. It also launched another attack in Kurmuk.[11]
Public services
The SPLM-N issues driver's licenses, birth certificates, and has a court system made up of volunteer judges, "deciding everything from dowry disputes to murder cases", and schools teaching in English.[3]
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Government
As of 2017[update], Abdelaziz al-Hilu heads the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) faction. This faction opposes the SAF and as a member of the Sudan Founding Alliance, supports the RSF's attempt to form a parallel Government of Peace and Unity.[12] In July 2025, al-Hilu was proclaimed the deputy leader of a governing alliance headed by the RSF's leader Hemedti.[13]
Journalist Nicholas Casey describes SPLM-N (al-Hilu) as "among the few rebel groups to claim it is fighting for a Western-style democracy: It has a Constitution and calls for a secular state in Sudan".[14]
See also
- Government of Peace and Unity
- Territories of Sudan Liberation Movement (al-Nur)[15]
- Republic of Sudan
References
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