Arab and Nubian tribes in Sudan’s Red Sea state signed a reconciliation deal on Sunday under pressure from the country’s most prominent military commander after clashes that triggered a state of emergency and left at least 16 dead last month.
Today’s deal was signed after General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, a member of Sudan’s new sovereign council, threatened to expel both sides from the country if they refused to commit to reconciliation.
The clashes broke out in the country’s main sea gateway of Port Sudan, also used by South Sudan to export oil, shortly after the signing of a power sharing deal between Sudan’s military and civilian groups.
They involved members of the Beni Amer and Nuba tribes, which have also clashed in the past.
Sudan is embarking on a three-year transition after the overthrow of former President Omar al-Bashir in April and faces challenges including simmering insecurity in several regions and a deep economic crisis.
