Reports from Sudan say a pro-government militia leader has defected along with one-thousand of his men to the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army.

A rebel commander who signed a peace accord with the government last yearRiek Machar, said the split involved troops loyal to his rival, Paulino Matip.

There's been no word so far from Mr Matip.

Meanwhile Sudanese authorities have announced that courses at all Sudanese universities are to resume next Saturday, one month after being suspended to enable students to join soldiers fighting rebels in southern Sudan.