South Kordofan, November 28 (Darfur24)
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, has been accused of carrying out forced recruitment campaigns in areas under its control in South Kordofan State, allegations the movement has strongly denied.
Three independent sources told Darfur24 that SPLM-N forces recently began extensive recruitment operations in markets, along roads, and in populated areas. The SPLM-N has rejected the claims, describing them as a “systematic smear campaign.”
Two young men from Dilling recounted their escape from what they described as forced recruitment operations after managing to flee to Khartoum. The pair, who requested anonymity, said they had been trading goods between the border area of Eida, near South Sudan, and Um Dulu. After incurring financial losses, they remained in Um Dulu in an attempt to restart their business.
However, they said the situation shifted suddenly when SPLM-N forces began what they called widespread forced recruitment drives. According to their testimony, armed members patrolled markets and forcibly stopped young men, including displaced people fleeing the fighting in Dilling and Kadugli. One said they witnessed recruitment taking place “without any regard for humanitarian conditions or the vulnerability of those escaping conflict.”
The two men said they fled Um Dulu in disguise, eventually reaching Kosti in White Nile State before continuing to Khartoum “in search of a life far from war.”
In a separate incident, a source in Al-Abbasiya locality told Darfur24 that SPLM-N forces carried out a large-scale forced recruitment operation on Tuesday at the Al-Zalataya gold mine in the Tebessa administrative area.
According to the source, more than 100 young men—along with several minors—were abducted and taken to SPLM-N camps. The source said many young people fled toward Al-Abbasiya town to escape the campaign.
SPLM-N Denies Forced Recruitment
Arno Ngutulu Lodi, First Secretary of the Civil Authority of the New Sudan, denied the allegations, telling Darfur24 that recruitment into the SPLM-N is voluntary.
“Enlistment is based on free will for those who want to defend citizens, protect property, and liberate the Sudanese people from the ruling clique that has governed since so-called independence,” he said. Ngutulu added that reports circulating on social media are part of “a systematic campaign by Islamists to tarnish and demonize the movement.”
Jatiqa Amoja Dalman, head of the SPLM-N National Liberation Council media committee, also rejected the claims, saying the movement “has sufficient, trained, and capable forces” and has no need for compulsory recruitment.
He added that SPLM-N forces have gained extensive experience fighting the Sudanese army since 2011. “We have not yet called upon our reserve forces,” he said, describing the allegations as “propaganda by army intelligence and Islamic movement media cells aimed at intimidating citizens seeking to leave army-controlled areas.”