Misseriya reject Khartoum’s calls to fight in Heglig

Calls from Khartoum to mobilise for war in Heglig have reportedly failed amongst the Misseriya in El Muglad and Dibab who instead confiscated the motorbikes and weapons on offer.Witnesses said the markets in the two towns in South Kordofan were closed down on Monday in anticipation of conflict following the Khartoum’s calls for mobilisation. However they said the young men refused to join the fighting in Heglig and broke into the army’s storage facility in El Muglad, stealing the motorbikes and fleeing. They also allegedly stole dozens of motorbikes loaded on to trucks near the Balila area, often used by pro-government militia to loot and terrorise citizens.Witnesses said the Misseriya of the western sector in South Kordofan are not willing to die for the government in a conflict they do not support.

Calls from Khartoum to mobilise for war in Heglig have reportedly failed amongst the Misseriya in El Muglad and Dibab who instead confiscated the motorbikes and weapons on offer.

Witnesses said the markets in the two towns in South Kordofan were closed down on Monday in anticipation of conflict following the Khartoum’s calls for mobilisation.

However they said the young men refused to join the fighting in Heglig and broke into the army’s storage facility in El Muglad, stealing the motorbikes and fleeing.

They also allegedly stole dozens of motorbikes loaded on to trucks near the Balila area, often used by pro-government militia to loot and terrorise citizens.

Witnesses said the Misseriya of the western sector in South Kordofan are not willing to die for the government in a conflict they do not support.