Blue Nile tribal groups agree to end bloody violence

January 15, 2023 (AL-DAMAZIN) – Blue Nile region’s tribal components signed on Sunday, a Framework Agreement for Peaceful Coexistence to end bloody violence that claimed hundreds of lives during the past six months.

About 287 people were killed in the inter-communal violence between the Funj (Hamaj and Berta) and Hausa in July 2022. Also, thousands fled to neighbouring regions.

In line with the signed agreement seen by Sudan Tribune, the parties committed themselves to desist from violence and resolve their difference by peaceful means. They also agreed to cease hate speech and ethnic polarization.

The agreement stressed that signatories should resort to a mechanism including Native Administration and laws in force.

The deal provides to form a peace council comprising Native Administration and other civil society groups to resolve inter-communal disputes.

The parties committed themselves not to protect criminals or outlaws involved in the tribal violence. They further agreed not to block roads and bridges.

The framework agreement was signed by the Hamaj, Berta and Hausa, Angasana, Raqariq and Watawat tribes.

The signing ceremony was attended by the head of the Sovereign Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, a member of the Sovereign Council Malik Agar, and the Blue Nile Governor Ahmed Al-Umda Badi.

Al-Burhan pledged to prevent a recurrence of tribal conflict in the region, and described the previous violence as “a passing cloud.”

The Sudanese army deployed a significant number of troops in September and October to end the conflict to prevent further violence in the region.

The Funj components escalated their criticism of Agar and the state governor saying that their tribal group of Angasana is a minority and does not represent them.

Agar had previously supported the Hausa demand for tribal chiefdom and territory in the region.

Some Funj tribal leaders voiced their support for the SPLM-N leader Abdel Aziz al-Hilu whose group did not yet sign a peace agreement with Khartoum.

(ST)