By Neelam Rahim

The renewed tribal clashes in Sudan’s southern Blue Nile state have killed seven people, state media reported on Friday, despite a ceasefire agreement between rival groups following deadly violence weeks ago.

“The regrettable tribal clashes renewed on Thursday afternoon, with no clear reasons and despite sincere efforts by the government to prevent hostilities,” the official SUNA news agency reported, quoting a statement by security services in Blue Nile state.

The clashes left “seven people killed and wounded 23 others”, noting that the violence was centred in East Ganis village and the Roseires area.

After a week of shooting and burning that left 105 people dead in late July, the Hausa and Barta African tribes had agreed to a ceasefire and promised to renegotiate a long-lasting peace during this southeastern Sudan region bordering Ethiopia.

The clashes at the time erupted after Hausa tribes requested the creation of a “civil authority”, which rival groups saw as a way to achieve access to land.

The violence displaced some 31 000 people, many of whom sought refuge in schools and changed into displacement camps.

The clashes also triggered angry protests across Sudan, with the Hausa people demanding justice for those killed.

Other protests called for “unity” and an “end to tribalism” within the impoverished northeast African country.

The latest violence comes as Sudan reels from deepening political unrest and a spiralling economic crisis since last year’s military coup led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

The military power grab upended a transition to civilian rule launched after the 2019 ouster of strongman Omar al-Bashir, who ruled for three decades.

According to pro-democracy medics, the country has been rocked by near-weekly protests and a violent crackdown that has thus far killed at least 116 people.

Source: News24