The governor of Sudan’s South Kordofan State, Issa Adam Abakar, on Monday issued a decree banning all kinds of trade with people in rebel-held territories.

The decree said the trade with the population in the rebel-controlled areas amounts to a criminal offence that may result in the death penalty or life imprisonment.

According to the decision, anyone who commits the crime of doing business with armed groups – a business locally known as “Tijara Al-Sumbuk” – will be punished by death or life imprisonment with confiscation of his or her properties and means used to commit the crime.

The decree explained that the confiscated assets, goods or commodities will be used by the state government. The decision also said that 40% of the confiscated goods will be allocated to the military force that carried out the seizure operation.

Last month, President Bashir proposed a two-month ceasefire with rebels fighting to overthrow his government.

File photo: A smuggler in South Kordofan (Radio Tamazuj)