Sudanese authorities said tribal clashes killed three people on Sunday and wounded at least 79 others, the latest in a series of outbursts of tribal violence that could derail the country’s transition to democracy.
Violence in the city of Kassala started on Thursday with fighting between the Bani Amer tribe and the Nuba tribe, according to Major General Mahmoud Babaker, the governor of eastern Kassala state.
Gen Babaker said clashes flared up again over the weekend, with many houses set on fire before authorities sent troops to restore order. At least 59 people were arrested. The three dead were members of the Bani Amer.
Tribal clashes across Sudan pose a significant challenge to efforts by the transitional government under the leadership of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok to end decades-long rebellions in some areas. The country is on a fragile path to democracy after a popular uprising led the military to overthrow longtime autocrat president Omar Al Bashir last year. A military-civilian government is now in power.
The city of Kassala is around 400 kilometres east of Sudan’s capital, Khartoum. Footage circulated online showed dozens of people fighting in the streets and burned houses sending thick clouds of heavy black smoke to the air.
In an address to the nation, Gen Abdel Fattah Burhan, head of the ruling sovereign council, said on Sunday the military and other security agencies would act decisively “to secure the country, lives and property”.
“We all would stand united against the plotters who are the enemies of the people … and the enemies of the people’s glorious revolution,” Mr Burhan said. He was apparently referring to Islamists and those loyal to the Al Bashir regime.
The violence came as authorities struggle to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Sudan’s healthcare system has been weakened by decades of war and sanctions. The country of 43 million people has at least 1,365 confirmed cases including 70 deaths.
Tensions between the Bani Amer and Nuba — mainly over water and other resources — started in May last year in the eastern city of Al Qadarif, where seven people were killed. The fighting was renewed in August in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, killing more than three dozen people.
Last week, tribal clashes between Arabs and non-Arabs in the province of South Darfur left at least 30 dead and a dozen wounded, authorities said.
A key priority of Sudan’s military-civilian government has been ending the insurgencies in Sudan’s far-flung provinces in order to slash military spending, which takes up much of the national budget. Rebel groups have for months engaged in talks with the transitional authorities to establish peace.
Oscars in the UAE
The 90th Academy Awards will be aired in the UAE from 3.30am on Monday, March 5 on OSN, with the ceremony starting at 5am
UAE Rugby finals day
Games being played at The Sevens, Dubai
2pm, UAE Conference final
Dubai Tigers v Al Ain Amblers
4pm, UAE Premiership final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
The biog
Prefers vegetables and fish to meat and would choose salad over pizza
Walks daily as part of regular exercise routine
France is her favourite country to visit
Has written books and manuals on women’s education, first aid and health for the family
Family: Husband, three sons and a daughter
Fathiya Nadhari's instructions to her children was to give back to the country
The children worked as young volunteers in social, education and health campaigns
Her motto is to never stop working for the country
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
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Price: From Dh117,059
