The SPLM-North announced its withdrawal from the negotiations taking place in Juba to achieve peace in Sudan, because the First Vice President of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council and Commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti), headed the government delegation.
The movement said in a statement about the withdrawal of its delegation from the negotiating session this morning, “The SPLM-North delegation had previously submitted an official complaint to the (southern) mediation on August 18, 2020, in which it clarified its position on the leadership of the Commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti), as His forces are committing heinous violations against defenseless citizens in the cities and countryside of Sudan.
She added in her statement that the Rapid Support Forces are still committing violations in areas around Dilling, South Kordofan.
The statement added that the movement promises the RSF "its repeated attacks that target innocent citizens and defenseless forces hostile to citizens and peace. Therefore, the RSF commander lacks neutrality and is not qualified to lead the negotiation delegation."
Due to the failure of the mediation to respond to the movement’s demand - the statement adds - “our delegation decided to withdraw from the negotiating session” this morning.
The movement affirmed its commitment to the Juba negotiating platform and to continue negotiations.
The SPLM-North has been fighting government forces since June 2011 in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states.