A leading member of Sudan People’s Liberation Army-North (SPLA-North) accused the Khartoum government of planning to deploy at least 600 members of the Fellata nomadic tribe of Blue Nile in ongoing fighting in Kurmuk.

In an interview with Radio Tamazuj yesterday, Col. Suleiman Mohamed said over 600 Fellata tribesmen had been mobilized in Blue Nile under the pretext of celebrating the feast of the People’s Defence Forces last week.

He urged the Fellata members not to engage in the government’s fight.

Radio Tamazuj was unable to reach local authorities in Kurmuk to confirm or comment on the situation.