MAJOR GENERAL JAAFAR EL-NIMEIRY, THE SUDANESE HEAD OF STATE, TOURED THE REBEL STRONGHOLD OF ABA ISLAND LAST WEEK. DURING HIS VISIT GOVERNMENT TROOPS KILLED IN CLASHES WITH REBEL FORCES WHERE BURIED AT A MASS FUNERAL.

GENERAL NIMEIRY HAS SAID THAT A MAN TRIED TO STAB HIM TO DEATH DURING HIS VISIT AND GUN FIGHTS BROKE OUT AFTER REBELS OPENED FIRE ON GOVERNMENT TROOPS.

GENERAL NIMEIRY CUT SHORT HIS VISIT AFTER THE ATTACKS AND SUDANESE TROOPS LAUNCHED A FULL SCALE ASSAULT ON THE ISLAND ON TUESDAY (MARCH 31). AT LEAST 100 REBELS ARE REPORTED KILLED WHEN THE GOVERNMENT FORCES INVADED THE ISLAND. GOVERNMENT LOSSES WERE LISTED AS THREE DEAD AND 33 WOUNDED.

THE LEADER OF THE ANSAR RELIGIOUS SECT WHICH INHABITED THE ABA ISLAND STRONGHOLD, THE IMAM AL-MAHDI, WAS SHOT AND KILLED WHILE TRYING TO ESCAPE FOLLOWING WIDESPREAD FIGHTING, ACCORDING TO GOVERNMENT REPORTS.

MORE THAN 30 TROOPS WERE BURIED AT LAST WEEKS FUNERAL AND GENERAL NIMEIRY HAS ACCUSED THE REBEL SECT OF PLANNING TO PLUNGE SUDAN INTO A BLOODY CIVIL WAR AND CARRYING OUT AIMS OF IMPERIALISTS.

THE IMAM HAD REFUSED TO CO-OPERATED WITH NIMEIRY'S REGIME AFTER IT CAME TO POWER IN AN ARMY-COUP LAST MAY. THE FORMER MAHDI WAS SPIRITUAL LEADER OF THE DISSOLVED UMMA POLITICAL PARTY, A MAJOR FORCE IN SUDANESE POLITICS WHICH WAS BANNED AT THE TIME OF COUP.