State of Emergency Declared in Port Sudan

The newly-established sovereign council have declared a state of emergency in the city of Port Sudan in the eastern Red Sea state on Sunday, 25 August 2019, following tribal clashes that have left at least 16 people dead and more than 50 injured.

The acting governor and the head of the national security service for Red Sea state have been dismissed on 25 August.

عاجل إعفاء والى البحر الأحمر ومدير الأمن بالولاية pic.twitter.com/pznwQq31Qf

— محمد عمر|🇸🇩𝐌𝐎.𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐑 (@MO7_OMAR) August 25, 2019

Clashes between members of the Beni Amer and Nuba tribes were re-ignited in Dar El Neim on Wednesday, 21 August 2019 and continued until Saturday, 24 August 2019. Gunfire was heard and seen in the neighbourhoods where both tribes live. A number of homes were set on fire. Although the Beni Amer and Nuba tribes have clashed several times in the past, this is the first time firearms have been used.

قبل قليل
تم حرق المنازل وتدميرها بما فيها وهدمها وحرق الممتلكات وتهجير الاسر
على القوات المسلحة التدخل الفوري وارسال قوات لحفظ الامن ووقف الاقتتال بين ابناء الوطن الواحد #بورتسودان_تنزف pic.twitter.com/PwyXM062Lo

— Salma | سلمى 🦋 (@salma1siddig) August 24, 2019

There have also been reports of a temporary internet and electricity cuts since clashes began last week.

what’s happening in Port sudan is way worse than what you can imagine, I received this from a friend, she said their internet has been cut off and it came back today. Please spread awareness. #بورتسودان_تنزف pic.twitter.com/FmZxqd1Fpo

— رِهام (@Revcenge) August 25, 2019

On Saturday, 24 August 2019, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) released a statement on the conflict, calling for the fighting to end.

بيان مشترك

تابعنا الأحداث المؤسفة التي وقعت بشرق السودان الأيام الماضية بين قبائل “النوبة والبني عامر والحباب” والتي راح ضحيتها أرواح عزيزة من أبناء السودان.#بورتسودان_تنزف#تحديات_الفتره_الانتقاليه

— تجمع المهنيين السودانيين (@AssociationSd) August 24, 2019

Security forces were placed on high alert and an investigative team has been formed to look into the conflict. According to Lieutenant General Shamseldin El Kabbashi, member of the newly-established sovereign council, a delegation has been sent to Port Sudan, consisting of legal advisor and member of the sovereign council, Hassan Sheikh, along with the chief of staff of the ground forces, the deputy director of the security service and the chief of police.

After a meeting with the delegation, both sides agreed on a truce until 8 September 2019.