SPLM-North declared illegal

The Sudanese Government has declared the SPLM-North opposition group (who had strong ties to South Sudan during the civil war) illegal. SPLM-North claim that several of its offices have been shut down and members of the party have been arrested.

This comes months after the Government forcefully took control of the contested border territory of Abyei and less than a week after they declared a state of emergency in Blue Nile removing Malik Agar, the leader of SPLM-North, from his elected post as state governor.

The moves represent an escalation of the conflicts in the key border areas. The Sudanese Government blames the conflict on South Sudanese support for the SPLM-North. South Sudan, however, denies any involvement. This throws into further doubt the possibility of finding a negotiated solution to the conflicts.