SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - SPLM-N’s Agar reiterates rejection of self-determination for Sudan’s Two Areas
Sudan Tribune reports that Malik Agar, a factional leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), rejects calls for self-determination in South Kordofan and the Blue State.
Peace talks between the the transitional government and the SPLM-N faction led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu are stalled over the latter’s calls for include self-determination unless Sudan becomes a secular state. SPLM-N al-Hilu split from SPLM-N Agar in 2017 due to the latter’s rejection of the former’s stance.
In a speech, Malik Agar questioned why the people of South Kordofan and the Blue Nile alone should pay this exorbitant bill” regarding the fight for secularism in Sudan.
While conceding that the demands for secularism and self-determination are “legitimate,” Agar added that priorities should be placed upon creating a conducive environment for nationwide negotiations of a secular state - including ending the war, achieving peace, returning the displaced and refugees to their villages.