Mutiny Reported Among SPLM-N Officers in Kauda

The rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz Al-Hilu has acknowledged that a number of its officers took part in clashes that erupted in the vicinity of Kauda, stating that the group had organized what it described as a “rebellious faction” to attack the SPLM-N forces.

In a statement, the movement—an ally of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia—said it had dispatched a military unit under army command instructions to separate the two conflicting groups.

It added that orders were issued for the officers involved in the fighting to report immediately to the General Staff headquarters for investigation, according to Al-Tara Sudan.

The statement further claimed that officers from the (Shawaya) tribe complied with the orders, while officers from the (Atoro) tribe disobeyed military instructions and instead organized a “rebel group” from within their community to attack the SPLM-N forces.

The movement described the incident as an outright “mutiny” against its forces, while asserting that the SPLM-N handled the situation with restraint and patience until the last moment. It also noted that the region’s governor and deputy head of the movement made significant efforts to contain the situation, but without success.

The statement admitted that casualties were recorded on both sides, while claiming that the mutinous officers represented a small group. It said the SPLM-N intends to deal decisively with this faction.

It also appealed to residents of the region, particularly members of the Atoro tribe, to exercise restraint and avoid areas where the “mutinous group” is present, urging them to continue their normal lives.

The Kauda area in South Kordofan State has witnessed several days of violent incidents following an attack reportedly carried out by SPLM-N forces on villages in the Atoro area, which resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, as well as large-scale displacement, according to eyewitnesses.