Sudan's presidential assistant Nafie Ali Nafie has said that the country's government intends to "cleanse" the country from the rebels, especially those in South Kordofan, pledging to end the insurgency in 2013. Speaking at an event in South Kordofan to mark the memory of Sudanese independence, Nafie said that Sudan’s territories would not be used by spies or rebels. He thanked the Sudanese army for their efforts in tackling militants. Nafie also emphasised that the government is looking to bring an end to the current security problems, with focus on development in the next 12 months. Meanwhile, governor of South Kordofan, Ahmed Haroun, has pledged that the government would bear the responsibility of restoring security, peace and stability in the region. Haroun promised security to the residents of his state, adding that the Public Movement will not succeed in its plans to disrupt the development process.