Maj. Gen. Peter Gadet of Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) addresses his troops prior to their withdrawal south and out of the Abyei Area, as per the road map to resolve the Abyei crisis, in this picture released by the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) on July 4, 2008

December, 5, 2008 (Juba NSV) - The Sudan People�s Liberation Movement said on Friday SAF was illegally sending troops to Kordofan. SPLM also claimed the northern army deployed more than six battalions in the past three weeks in Kordofan, bordering Abyei.
"We condemn that SAF (northern Sudan Armed Forces) troops are being taken into South Kordofan," SPLM spokesman Yein Matthew told Reuters. "This is unconstitutional ... this should be discussed."

Photo: Maj. Gen. Peter Gadet of Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) addresses his troops prior to their withdrawal south and out of the Abyei Area, as per the road map to resolve the Abyei crisis, in this picture released by the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) on July 4, 2008

Abyei, Blue Nile State, and Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains are to hold a referendum in 2011 on whether to join South Sudan. During the war, the three areas fought alongside the SPLA. A recent report showed that people of Kordofan felt that SPLM had abandoned them.

Clashes broke out in May between Sudan People�s Liberation Movement and Sudan Armed Forces in Abyei. The short battle killed several people, and estimates vary on the exact number, and displaced more than 50, 000 Abyei residents. The area was destroyed and looted by the SAF forces and nearly led into full scale war between the former warring parties who both lay claim to the oil rich area.