National Movement for Reform and Development

Not to be confused with National Movement for Development and Reform.

The National Movement for Reform and Development (NMRD) is a Sudanese rebel group based in the region of Darfur that was formed when it broke away from the Justice and Equality Movement in 2004 because it felt JEM focused to much on the political, rather than the social and economic needs of the Fur people. JEM merged with the Alliance of Revolutionary Forces of West Sudan on January 20, 2006.

The political leader of NMRD is Khalil Abdallah.

On July 20, 2005, NMRD and Sudanese government representatives led by Sharif Omar Badur met in Al Fasher, northern Darfur, and discussed ways of furthering cooperation in a United Nations and African Union monitored meeting. On July 23, 2005, NMRD signed a ceasefire agreement with the Sudanese government, agreeing to a mutual exchange of prisoners of war and allowing aid groups to deliver relief to local citizens. [1]

Battle of Arm Yakui

On January 28, 2006, NMRD attacked a Sudanese military base in Arm Yakui in western Darfur, killing 78 soldiers, and taking 17 prisoner [2]. The Sudan People's Armed Forces killed two, and injured five, rebels, saying the attack "came suddenly from inside Chadian territory, and we returned fire with the same force using artillery."

The NMRD operates along the Chad-Sudan border.

Abdallah accuses the United Front for Democratic Change Chadian rebel alliance of fighting alongside the Sudanese army.

"We don't understand why they are doing this. We have no problem with Mahamat Nour."

Nour denied UFDC involvement in the battle, "Our forces were nearby but they did not participate in the attack." [3]