Administrators in Upper Nile state refugee camps have acknowledged the presence of elements of Sudanese rebel group, SPLA-North, within their camps and have called for their immediate departure.

Residents told Radio Tamazuj yesterday from Maban County that they fled to South Sudan in search of food and a secure living environment for their children following the outbreak of war between SPLM-N and the Sudanese government in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

Those who spoke with Radio Tamazuj complained about the presence of armed, uniformed SPLA-N elements within Duro, Jamam, Jadran and Yousif Batel camps which they claim is ‘intimidating’. 

Conveying the importance of compliance with Upper Nile State government policies which prohibit people within camps to carry arms, residents called on the fighters to leave.

“If the SPLA-North fighters continue to enter our camps with guns and military uniforms, we will ask South Sudanese authorities and the United Nations to evacuate them from the area,” Sheikh Anur Abu-Zaid claimed.