At the start of September, Sudanese government forces and members of the northern branch of the ruling party in neighbouring South Sudan clashed in the capital of Blue Nile state.

State Governor Malik Agar said government forces attacked members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM – North). When SPLM-North forces fired back the governor’s house was bombarded. The Sudanese government forces claim the SPLM-North forces fired first.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have stated that government forces have continued to bomb civilian areas in Southern Kordofan, despite a ceasefire being in place.