AFRICA/SUDAN - South Kordofan: the new "hot spot" of the region

Khartoum (Fides Service) - South Kordofan, in the north region of Sudan on the border with South Sudan (has recently become independent ) seems to have become the new "hot spot" that threatens the stability of the regime in Khartoum.
In this area, since the beginning of June, heavy fighting opposes the Sudanese troops to the Nuba rebels who had fought together with Southerners during the war in 1983-2005. The Nuba rebels of southern Kordofan belong to the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), originally part of the SPLM, the rebel movement that acted in southern Sudan and is now in power in South Sudan.
According to a report in the newspaper "Sudan Tribune" the SPLM-N is negotiating with two rebel movements operating in Darfur (west of the country) to join forces in order to overthrow the Khartoum regime. On August 7, the three rebel groups announced the formation of Sudan's Revolutionary Front Alliance (SRFA), whose objective is to overthrow the National Congress Party (NCP the ruling party in Khartoum) and then give birth to a liberal and secular State.
The seriousness of the situation in South Kordofan has been underlined by the U.S. emissary Princeton Lyman, who fears the extension of the conflict to other areas of the region and even to South Sudan, considering the existing links between the Nuba and Southern fighters.
The Khartoum government is accused of conducting bombings against civilians. The site of the Sudan Catholic Radio Network reports the testimony of a priest, whose name was not released for security reasons, claiming that Khartoum has sent 500 spies to South Kordofan to coordinate the bombing. The spies are equipped with satellite phones which transmit the details of the targets to hit.
Meanwhile, efforts on behalf of Ethiopia to negotiate a political settlement to the conflict in the region continues, since in July, mediation by former South African President Thabo Mbek failed. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/08/2011)