Security Beefed Up In Sudan After 32 Die In Tribal Clashes In Port City

BY AWORI ESTHER LUCY

KHARTOUM, Sudan|SHIFTMEDIA|Sudan has beefed up security in Red Sea state and imposed a curfew in its main sea gateway of Port Sudan after 32 people died in recent tribal clashes, the country’s interior ministry said late on Wednesday.

Security forces arrested 85 people over the recent violence, which also left 98 people wounded, and local authorities imposed a curfew in Port Sudan to restore order, the ministry said in a statement. The casualties included security force members.

Local media reports and activists on social media said the clashes broke out between the Beni Amer and Nuba tribes which have a history of mutual violence

Sudan is one year into a three-year transition after the overthrow of former President Omar al-Bashir and faces challenges including simmering insecurity in several regions and a deep economic crisis.

Representatives of the two tribes signed a reconciliation deal in September last year after deadly clashes.

Prime Minster Abdalla Hamdok said in an earlier statement he had held several meetings during the past week with the community and political leaders from eastern Sudan to address “the political, security and violence situation” in the region. (Source Reuters)