Sudan: Tribal conflict leaves dozens dead in southern Blue Nile state
A tribal conflict in the Sudanese state of Blue Nile has left at least 33 people dead, authorities said on Saturday.
A further 108 people were wounded and 16 shops were set on fire in the violence that started early in the week and peaked on Friday, according to the Sudanese news agency Suna.
Security forces managed to bring order back to the state on Friday, it said, and a night curfew was imposed on Saturday.
Blue Nile governor Ahmed al-Omda also issued an order prohibiting any gatherings or marches for one month.
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Hospitals launched an urgent appeal for blood donations after the unrest, according to medical sources.
The violence erupted on Monday after a land dispute between the Berti and Hawsa tribes turned deadly.
A request by the Hawsa tribe to have its local civil authority administer its lands as other groups do was turned down by other tribes.
A farmer was killed on Monday in Qissan district as a result of the tensions, according to Suna.
Violence in which firearms and cold weapons were used spilled over to other districts.
The Blue Nile state, bordering Ethiopia south of the country, has long seen conflict between the government and rebel groups.
Several peace deals since 2020 have brought violence down but experts say the military coup in 2021 has created a security vacuum that has fostered a resurgence in tribal violence.
AFP has contributed to this report.
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