⭕️ Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM–N) Statement on the Recent Events in Heiban County, Nuba Mountains

In light of the unfortunate developments that have taken place in Heiban County, South Kordofan/Nuba Mountains Region, and the subsequent statements and remarks concerning the circumstances surrounding these events, there is a need to address this issue responsibly and objectively, away from political exploitation. Throughout its long history, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) record has remained cleanand far from such malpractices, as is well known.

It is regrettable that the group which rebelled and caused these unjustified bloody events is now attempting to portray itself as the victim, while ignoring numerous facts and violations committed by them , that have been reported and documented by witnesses and various sources. A fair resolution of this crisis requires acknowledging all the facts and avoiding fabrication, falsification, or the selective presentation of information to serve specific political purposes .

Criticism directed at official authorities for presenting their account of the events should not distract attention from the importance of the ongoing investigations. The information contained in the statement issued by the Governor of South Kordofan/Nuba Mountains regarding the killing of Father / Yohanna Al-Amin Nyaroum was, according to official announcements, based on testimonies from eyewitnesses who survived the incident and was included within the framework of an investigation established specifically to examine this serious crime.

All accounts and narratives will be subjected to scrutiny and independent verification, and SPLM-N has consistently called for this process.

Protecting civilians and sparing local communities from the suffering of conflict must remain a priority that is not subject to political or military considerations.

We emphasize the importance of providing a suitable environment for investigative committees to carry out their work freely and independently and to have full access to all relevant facts. This will ensure justice, accountability for anyone found responsible for violations or crimes, and strengthen confidence in governance institutions and the rule of law.

The people of the region aspire to a future characterized by security, stability, and peaceful coexistence, free from incitement and the exchange of accusations, while preserving social unity, human dignity, and the future of coming generations.

In this statement, and as outlined in previous statements, we wish to clarify the following:

Regarding the killing of Fr. Yohanna Al-Amin Nyaroum on Friday, 19 June 2026, it is here to mention that , an armed force belonging to the rebel group from the Otoro tribe under the leadership of Habil Katen Aria arrived at the Catholic Church Diocese in Kauda Foq on Thursday, 18 June 2026. They threatened Fr. Yohanna, took the keys from him, opened the store, looted medicines belonging to the BGRF organization, and then left.

However, they returned the following day, 19 June 2026, and killed Fr. Yohanna along with other two church guards, Yohanna Marcus and John Adam. They also wounded another church worker and left him on the ground believing he was dead. He is currently receiving treatment in hospital and is an eyewitness to the crime committed by the rebel group.

The incident was allegedly planned with the intention to tarnish the image of the SPLM and the SPLA before public opinion. Accordingly , evidence of this is that the rebel group leader, Habil Katen Aria, personally distributed a statement in both Arabic and English through media outlets , social media and whatsapp accounts to many SPLM members directly, accusing the SPLM/A of committing the crime less than one hour after the killing of Fr . Yohanna and his assistants. This, according to the statement, indicates that the document had been prepared in advance and released immediately after the crime is committed in an effort to damage the reputation of the SPLM/A . The statement corresponds with the account provided by the Catholic Church Diocese of El Obeid in its statement issued on Friday, 19 June 2026.

Regarding the arrest and killing of government employees and party cadres, SPLM-N states that it had no interest in killing Fr. Yohanna, as the Catholic Church has long provided vital services to the people of the region, particularly in the field of education and health . It also reveals that it had no interest in killing Comrade Khair Al-Sayed Ali Tiyouk, an employee of the Secretariat of Economic and Financial Affairs, nor in arresting instructors from the Political and Leadership Training Institute , namely Abdul Qadir Saeed Rahma (Pagan), Farid Ismail Osman , and Gismallah Al-Nuur Adam (Cabral), among others.

SPLM-N condemns the repeated violations committed by the rebel group of Habil Katen Aria since 12 March 2026. These violations included targeting and killing innocent civilians, kidnappings, burning villages, looting humanitarian organizations’ warehouses, as well as stealing livestock, markets, and citizens’ property.

According to the Movement, what is taking place constitutes a full-scale rebellion aimed at destroying SPLM from within. The Movement states that its institutions will continue to expose these plots and confront them through all available means.

The struggle continues, and victory is certain.

Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N)

Monday, 22 June 2026