Khartoum claims rebel defections

State-run Omdurman Radio on Sunday alleged that more than 250 rebels and some 800 civilians had fled to the government-held town of Kapoeta from "appalling conditions" in the rebel movement and the alleged torching of villages in East Equatoria. The civilians and rebels were received in Kapoeta by acting East Equatoria governor Bili Labida, who appealed to the government to send aid for them, AP reported. SPLM spokesman Samson Kwaje told IRIN he had no knowledge of such a defection, or such mistreatment of civilians, and that it was most likely "propaganda from Khartoum". He said the government was so worried that the Port Sudan-Kassala highway had been cut off by opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) forces, it was trying to deflect attention from its troubles in the east. Humanitarian sources described the security situation in the area as "tense and volatile". The Kassala state authority has reportedly imposed a curfew along the road between Gedaref and Port Sudan from 1800 to 0600 hours.