Mobilisation and training camps

President Omar al-Bashir has ordered that training camps be opened in all states of Sudan to beef up defence. He announced the decision at a mobilisation meeting called by the Popular Defence Forces’ command at the Republican Palace, Khartoum, 22 July, reported state media. He ordered the formation of a national committee for mobilisation to be chaired by the first vice-president and three alternate chairman, including the minister of national defence, and the minister of the council of ministers. The committee would also include representatives from political parties and private and public bodies.

The mandate of the committee included raising cash and resources for the war effort, general mobilisation, and support to the army. Support would also be given to government militia, named as “the Popular Defence Forces and other organised forces and mujahidin”. Other duties of the committee were to “appoint caretakers for the fighters’ families and relatives” and to brief “friendly countries as well as regional and international communities” on rebel violations. According to the report, run on state television and radio, the first meeting would be held at the general-secretariat of the Council of Ministers on 24 July.