Abdelaziz al-Hilu
Abdelaziz al-Hilu | |
|---|---|
عبد العزيز الحلو | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Abdelaziz Adam al-Hilu July 7, 1954 Al-Faydh Umm Abdullah, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan |
| Nationality | Sudanese |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  SPLM–N |
| Battles/wars | |
Abdelaziz Adam al-Hilu (Arabic: عبد العزيز الحلو; born 7 July 1954) is a Sudanese politician and the current chairperson of the Sudan People's Liberation Army – SPLA–North.
Biography
[edit]Al-Hilu was born in Al-Faydh Umm Abdullah, South Kordofan. He is considered one of the most successful SPLA/M commanders in the history of the SPLA and worked with Sudanese revolutionary leader John Garang in an aim to create a Sudan that is democratic, fair and free to all Sudanese.
He was born, raised and educated in the Nuba Mountains. He studied Economics in the University of Khartoum, and graduated in 1979. He lost the election for governor of South Kordofan to Ahmed Haroun in a poll rejected by the SPLA as rigged.[1] He had been fighting the Sudanese Armed Forces in the Second Sudanese Civil War and the South Kordofan conflict.
Following the Sudanese Revolution, he declared a temporary unilateral ceasefire "to give the ongoing peace talks an opportunity for success",[2] which was later further extended,[3] during which he reached an agreement with the transitional government to separate religion and state and not discriminate against anyone's ethnicity on 3 September 2020.[4] He has also called to remove former President Omar al-Bashir's militias and to reorganize the Sudanese military, in addition to self-determination in areas controlled by his faction.[5]
On 28 March 2021, al-Hilu signed a peace agreement with the Sudanese government in Juba, South Sudan, in which it would pave the path to establish a civil, democratic federal state in Sudan, in addition to guaranteeing freedom of religion and having a single army to protect national security.[6]
During the civil war in Sudan which erupted in 2023, al-Hilu was hesitant to join the Tagadum coalition, insisting on secular governance as a foundation for Sudan's unity and stability. He also supported initiatives to end conflict but emphasized addressing Sudan's deep-rooted issues.[7] His forces in South Kordofan and Blue Nile prioritized defending citizens and ensuring aid reaches civilians.[8][9][10]
References
[edit]- ^ "Sudan:SPLA rejects South Kordofan win for Ahmed Haroun". bbcnews.com. 2011-05-16. Archived from the original on 24 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
- ^ "SPLM-N al-Hilu extends unilateral ceasefire for additional three months". reliefweb.int. 31 March 2020.
- ^ "SPLM-N al-Hilu extends unilateral ceasefire for seven months". reliefweb.int. 1 July 2020.
- ^ Michael Atit (4 September 2020). "Sudan's Government Agrees to Separate Religion and State". Voice of America. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "Sudan's government, rebel groups sign landmark deal". Al Jazeera. 3 October 2020.
- ^ "World Food Programme Chief congratulates Sudanese government and rebel group on steps towards peace". reliefweb.int. 28 March 2021.
- ^ "Al-Hilu: it is not time to engage in the Tagadum coalition". Sudan Tribune. 9 June 2024.
- ^ McGregor, Andrew (8 August 2023). "The Third Front: Sudan's Armed Rebel Movements Join the War Between the Generals". Archived from the original on 6 October 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ Ali, Mahmoud (21 July 2023). "Situation Update July 2023 Sudan: The SAF Faces Setbacks as Armed Groups Overtake Territory Across the Country 21 July 2023". Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ Ali, Mahmoud (11 August 2023). "Sudan: Heightened Violence in Kordofan Region as More Militia Groups Step Into the Conflict". Archived from the original on 6 October 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.