359 people killed in tribal clashes in Sudan: Says UN
The UN announced that the sporadic tribal clashes that have been taking place for 4 months in southern Sudan have killed up to 359 people.
These statistics, announced by the UN on Thursday, are the latest estimate for the past four months of the victims of the clashes in Sudan. The UN noted that rural areas witnessed a significant increase in violence.
Two weeks ago, at least 230 people were killed in 48 hours of violence in the wake of a land dispute between the Hausa tribe, of West African origins, the Albertans and the Berbers.
The escalation of violence that began last July in Blue Nile state has displaced about 97,000 people, many of whom fled to neighboring countries, and injured 469 others, according to the statistics of the International Organization for Migration.
Last month, it was reported that the army approved a draft constitutional document drafted by the country’s Bar Association to form a civilian-led government to lead the country to elections, scheduled to take place within the next 24 months.
But several factions refused the initial agreement and negotiations with the army.
Many analysts interpret the escalating tribal violence as a product of the power vacuum created by the army’s takeover, as the junta’s campaign has focused on Khartoum and the center of the country, while the hinterland has plunged into chaos.
Local activists and Sudanese media reported the absence of the army during the latest bloody clashes in the Blue Nile in late October.
