Sudan: Curfew in place due to communal violence in Er Roseires and Ad Damazin, Blue Nile State, as of Sept. 2

Event

As of Sept. 2, authorities have imposed an 20:00-05:00 security-related curfew in Er Roseires and Ald Damazin localities, Blue Nile State, due to communal violence reported in the region Sept. 1. Clashes involving local rival communities left up to seven people dead, and 23 others injured. Officials have also banned all forms of unnecessary gatherings. The exact conditions of the curfew and the ban have not been provided. Officials have been deployed in the area to quell violence.

An increased security presence will likely persist in the impacted areas in the coming days. Further violence cannot be discounted. Should any violence occur, officials could impose further restrictive measures.

Context

Creeping desertification brought on by climate change continues to drive intense competition for access to scarce resources such as grazing areas and drinking water. Given the easy availability of small arms, such tensions regularly escalate into clashes, which may in turn fuel rounds of reprisal attacks between various communities, sometimes leading to heavy casualty tolls.

Advice

Abide by the conditions of the curfew. Consider deferring nonessential travel to the impact areas until the situation stabilizes. Avoid travel at night. Maintain contact with diplomatic missions.