New Sudan (territory)

Not to be confused with New Sudan (political philosophy).
New Sudan
2011–present[a]
Flag
Territorial control[1][2]
  Controlled by SPLM-N (al-Hilu)
  Controlled by allied Rapid Support Forces and SPLM-N (al-Hilu)
(Detailed map)
Territories held in blue in 2011 before New Sudan was used.
CapitalKauda, Sudan
Leader 
• 2011–present
Abdelaziz al-Hilu
Chief of Staff[3] 
• 2023–present
Izzat Koko Angelo[4]
EstablishmentSudanese conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile
History 
• Establishment
2011[5]
Population
• 2024 estimate
3,900,000

New Sudan (Arabic: السودان الجديد, romanized: al-Sūdān al-Jadīd) refers to the territory in Sudan under the effective control of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North (Al-Hilu). In late 2025, the SPLM-N (Al-Hilu) joined the Government of Peace and Unity, however New Sudan still exists.[6]

Territorial control

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", it was the first time it used the word for there territories they control. Its capital is Kauda, a farming town.[7] At least 3.9 million people live in the territory under the control of the SPLM-N.[8]

History

The territory has been controlled by the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) since 2017. Previous the SPLM-N (al-Hilu), these territories were controlled by the SPLM-N from 2011 to 2017.[9]

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.[10] This prompted fears of a new front in the conflict despite the group regularly agreeing to annual ceasefire agreements.[11]

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,[12] 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."[13] On 25 June, the group attacked SAF positions in Kurmuk, Blue Nile State, near the border with Ethiopia.[14][13]

In July 2023, despite an appeal by South Sudanese president Salva Kiir to cease its attacks,[15] the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) seized several army garrisons and an oil field in South Kordofan[16] and blocked the road leading from Karkal to Kadugli. It also launched another attack in Kurmuk.[17]

In December 2025, the SPLM–N (al-Hilu) claimed to have retaken the town of Qardoud Nama in South Kordofan from the SAF.[18] The SAF retook the town of Mabsouta from the SPLM–N (al-Hilu), which had occupied the area since 2011.[19]

On the 3 February of 2026 both the RSF and SPLM-N (al-Hilu) seized the towns of Deim Mansour, Bashir Nuqu and Khor al-Budi near Kurmuk in Blue Nile state.[20] In the same month, the SPLM-N (Toka), another faction of the SPLM, was revealed to be active in areas held by both the RSF and the SPLM-N (Al-Hilu).[21]

Government

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.[22]

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".[23]

Public services

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.[24]

Notes

  1. ^ Until 2024 the term New Sudan wasn't used for the territories under the control of the SPLM-N (Al-Hilu).

See also

References

  1. ^ "مناطق السيطره". Google My Maps.
  2. ^ "Sahel". Google My Maps.
  3. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20231020174352/https://sudantribune.com/article277730/
  4. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20231020174352/https://sudantribune.com/article277730/
  5. ^ "Sudan army seizes SPLM-N stronghold, advances toward key town". Sudan Tribune. 2 December 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  6. ^ "Sudan Rebels Launch Parallel Govt In Nairobi On Saturday". 2025-02-23. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Sudan's SPLM-N rebel group declares famine in its territory".
  9. ^ "Sudan army seizes SPLM-N stronghold, advances toward key town". Sudan Tribune. 2 December 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Rebel mobilization in Sudan raises fears of conflict spreading". al-Arabiya. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Sudanese army repels SPLM-N attack in South Kordofan". Sudan Tribune. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  12. ^ "South Kordofan residents flee as Sudan war escalates". al-Arabiya. 2023-06-23. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
  13. ^ a b "Sudan army claims victory over rebel fighters in Blue Nile region". Radio Dabanga. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  14. ^ "Battle For Key Police Base Kills At Least 14 Sudan Civilians". Barron's. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  15. ^ "South Sudan president persuades SPLM-N al-Hliu to refrain from attacking Sudanese army". Sudan Tribune. 2023-07-05. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ "SPLM-N claims recapture of South Kordofan town from Sudanese army". Sudan Tribune. 2025-12-01. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  19. ^ "Sudan army seizes SPLM-N stronghold, advances toward key town". Sudan Tribune. 2 December 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  20. ^ "RSF and SPLM-N attack arm's positions in Blue Nile, capture strategic area". Sudan Tribune. 2026-02-03. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  21. ^ "Drone strikes and shelling intensify in Sudan's South Kordofan, Blue Nile". Sudan Tribune. 2026-02-13. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  22. ^ Abdelaziz, Khalid (22 February 2025). "Sudan's RSF, allies sign charter to form parallel government, two signatories say". Reuters.
  23. ^ Casey, Nicholas (8 August 2024). "Inside the Mountain Stronghold of an Elusive Rebel Movement". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  24. ^ 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.
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