Sudan: Authorities declare month-long state of emergency and curfew in West Darfur through at least May 10 following tribal clashes

Event

Authorities in Sudan have declared a month-long state of emergency (SoE) and imposed a two-week nightly curfew in West Darfur through at least May 10. The SoE was initially announced on April 10 in response to recent communal violence between rival communities in several areas that left at least three people dead and dozens of others wounded; the violence reportedly began over a mobile phone theft. The curfew runs from 19:00-07:00 through April 20. Troops were deployed to the area following the clashes.

Further clashes and related violence could occur. Officials could enact additional security measures, including security force deployments, curfews, and checkpoints. Business and road travel disruptions are likely near any further incidents of violence or due to security force responses.

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, even minor localized incidents regularly escalate into clashes, which may, in turn, fuel rounds of reprisal attacks between various communities, sometimes leading to heavy casualty tolls.

Advice

Defer nonessential travel to West Darfur, and exercise heightened vigilance if operating the state. Heed all instructions from security personnel. Maintain contact with your diplomatic mission.