Kauda, August 22 (Darfur24)
Atoro tribal leaders accused the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) of violating a newly announced ceasefire after heavy artillery shelling hit Kauda, South Kordofan, overnight.
In a statement, the tribal leaders said the shelling began around midnight and continued into Saturday morning, with 120mm mortar rounds fired from the SPLM-N’s army operations base in the Al-Qudail area towards Kauda.
They said the attacks came only hours after the ceasefire was announced, raising concerns that continued fighting could undermine efforts to end the conflict and obstruct peace initiatives.
The leaders called for urgent intervention to halt the attacks and ensure all parties respect the ceasefire. They also said they reserved the right to defend civilians and their territory if attacks continued.
The ceasefire followed an initiative by Rapid Support Forces commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, to end the fighting in Kauda through peaceful means. SPLM-N leader Abdel Aziz al-Hilu welcomed the initiative and announced a cessation of hostilities, while the Atoro tribe also agreed to the truce.
Kauda has been affected by tensions since March, initially linked to disputes over tribal boundaries before escalating into clashes between the SPLM-N and members of the Atoro tribe, whom the movement describes as rebels.