In the Sudanese territory of the Blue Nile, over 43% of the civilian population works in the agricultural sector. On July 14, a farmer belonging to the Hausa tribe was killed by rivals Berta and the episode triggered a violent reaction from his community. Tensions between ethnic communities in the territory escalated after the proposal by representatives of the Berta tribe to establish a civil authority to control access to land was denied and the Hausa were accused of violating such agreements.
The clashes began in mid-July and, according to the United Nations Organization (UN), have caused more than 100 deaths and 40,000 displaced persons. Although at the end of July an initial peace agreement had been reached, the fighting resumed in September.
In the areas most affected by the clashes - such as, for example, in the village of Wad al-Mahi on the border with Ethiopia - shops, grocery stores and offices have been closed, leaving the civilian population deprived of their basic needs.
In an attempt to reduce the escalation of violence, the Sudanese authorities have instituted a curfew and sent groups of armed forces to monitor the territory. Subsequently, the ministry of health sent doctors and medical aid equipment to the area. In addition, thanks to the UN Humanitarian Fund for Sudan, other minor organizations such as Save the Children have also reached the area to provide physical and psychological support to civilians who have been injured or forced to flee.
To read more, visit:
- https://www.unocha.org/story/supporting-people-affected-violence-hiba’s-journey
- https://www.africanews.com/2022/10/14/sudan-at-least-four-dead-from-ethnic-clashes-in-blue-nile-state/
- https://www.africarivista.it/sudan-nilo-azzurro-si-aggrava-il-bilancio-delle-vittime-negli-scontri/204816/ https://www.voanews.com/a/sudan-protesters-decry-violence-in-southern-state/6662131.html
- https://reliefweb.int/report/sudan/ocha-sudan-blue-nile-state-profile-updated-september-2022
by Federica Tognolli
