New Sudan (territory)

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Not to be confused with New Sudan (political philosophy).
New Sudan
2023–present
Flag of New Sudan (territory)
Flag
War in Sudan (2023).svg
Territorial control[1][2]
  Controlled by SPLM-N (al-Hilu)
  Controlled by allied Rapid Support Forces and SPLM-N (al-Hilu)
(Detailed map)
StatusSelf-proclamied unrecognized quasi-state
CapitalKauda, Sudan
Government
• Leader
Abdelaziz al-Hilu
EstablishmentSudanese civil war (2023–present)
• Established during the Kordofan Campaign in 2023
c. 15 April 2023
Population
• 2024 estimate
3,900,000

New Sudan is a self-proclaimed quasi-state in Sudan, the term oftenly refers to the areas of Sudan under the effective control of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North (Al-Hilu) during the Sudanese civil war.

Background

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During the course of the ongoing Sudanese civil war, and as a result of its political divisiveness, the concept of New Sudan has become a substantial and significant element of the political philosophy of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N), a reconstituted faction of the SPLM.[3]

Territorial control

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In June 2024 Nicholas Casey of The New York Times was allowed in the Nuba Mountains stronghold of the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu. Casey reported that civil war had distracted the SAF from attacking the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) and allowed the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) to go on the offensive, capturing territory "at a steady pace". It calls the territory it controls "New Sudan". Its capital is Kauda, a farming town.[3] At least 3.9 million people live in the territory under the control of the SPLM-N.[4]

History

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On 8 June 2023, the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) began mobilizing around Kadugli, moving into several army camps and prompting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to reinforce its positions despite a Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) blockade.[5] This prompted fears of a new front in the conflict despite the group regularly agreeing to annual ceasefire agreements.[6]

On 21 June 2023, the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) broke its ceasefire agreement and attacked Sudanese army units in South Kordofan, particularly in Kadugli and in al-Dalanj, the latter coinciding with an attack by the RSF. The army claimed to have repelled the attacks,[7] while the rebels claimed to have attacked in retaliation for the death of one of their soldiers at the hands of the SAF and vowed to free the region from "military occupation."[8] On 25 June, the group attacked SAF positions in Kurmuk, Blue Nile State, near the border with Ethiopia.[9][8]

In July 2023, despite an appeal by South Sudanese president Salva Kiir to cease its attacks,[10] the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) seized several army garrisons and an oil field in South Kordofan[11] and blocked the road leading from Karkal to Kadugli. It also launched another attack in Kurmuk.[12]

Public services

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The SPLM-N (al-Hilu) issues driver's licenses, birth certificates, and has a court system made up of volunteer judges, "deciding everything from dowry disputes to murder cases", and schools teaching in English.[3]

Government

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As of 2017, Abdelaziz al-Hilu heads the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) faction. This faction opposes the SAF and as a member of the Sudan Founding Alliance, supports the RSF's attempt to form a parallel Government of Peace and Unity.[13] In July 2025, al-Hilu was proclaimed the deputy leader of a governing alliance headed by the RSF's leader Hemedti.[14]

Journalist Nicholas Casey describes SPLM-N (al-Hilu) as "among the few rebel groups to claim it is fighting for a Western-style democracy: It has a Constitution and calls for a secular state in Sudan".[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "مناطق السيطره". Google My Maps.
  2. ^ "Sahel". Google My Maps.
  3. ^ a b c Casey, Nicholas; Saman, Moises (2024-08-08). "Inside the Mountain Stronghold of an Elusive Rebel Movement". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  4. ^ News, Reuters. "Sudan's SPLM-N rebel group declares famine in its territory". {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ "Rebel mobilization in Sudan raises fears of conflict spreading". al-Arabiya. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Sudanese army repels SPLM-N attack in South Kordofan". Sudan Tribune. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  7. ^ "South Kordofan residents flee as Sudan war escalates". al-Arabiya. 2023-06-23. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
  8. ^ a b "Sudan army claims victory over rebel fighters in Blue Nile region". Radio Dabanga. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Battle For Key Police Base Kills At Least 14 Sudan Civilians". Barron's. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  10. ^ "South Sudan president persuades SPLM-N al-Hliu to refrain from attacking Sudanese army". Sudan Tribune. 2023-07-05. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
  11. ^ "Sudan army clashes with RSF and SPLM-N El Hilu in South Kordofan". Radio Dabanga. 18 July 2023. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  12. ^ "SPLM-N El Hilu launches new attack in Blue Nile region and wins terrain in South Kordofan". Radio Dabanga. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  13. ^ Abdelaziz, Khalid (22 February 2025). "Sudan's RSF, allies sign charter to form parallel government, two signatories say". Reuters.
  14. ^ "RSF's Hemetti to head new alliance with SPLM-N leader al-Hilu". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  15. ^ Casey, Nicholas (8 August 2024). "Inside the Mountain Stronghold of an Elusive Rebel Movement". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 August 2024.