Sudan: Red Sea state governor bans all protests

Acting Red Sea state Governor Maj Gen Hafiz El Taj issued an order on Friday, banning gatherings, encroachment on public and private property, intimidation of citizens, and breaches of security and safety. The violence in Port Sudan had already abated at that moment.

The order bans carrying firearms and edged weapons as machetes and knives, blocking roads, and driving vehicles or motorcycles without number plates.

The order also prohibits the publication or circulation via social media of information, pictures or documents related to the recent violence in Port Sudan, as well as preparation for doing this. Targeting any person holding public office is forbidden too. Violating the order can lead to fines, imprisonment for up to 10 years, and confiscation of goods and devices used to commit the prohibited act.

Within hours

The governor said that the order would stop the Beni Amer and Nuba tribesmen from fighting “within hours”. The two groups have fought each other in Port Sudan for more than a week. He said the security forces will cooperate with the prosecution in conducting a wide inspection campaign in the area to arrest those found to be involved in the violence.

El Sharif El Hamdabi, spokesman for the Peace Coexistence Initiative, told Radio Dabanga that both sides had already stopped their attacks and arson. It was relatively calm in the city on Friday. He called for the arrest of those involved in the violent events and for spreading a culture of peace among the different communities in Port Sudan.

Radio Dabanga reported a ‘remarkable calm’ in Port Sudan last Wednesday, following the arrival of forces from outside the state and the appointment of a new governor.

Chieftains

The official Sudanese News Agency (SUNA) reported yesterday that member of the Sovereign Council Siddig Tawir ‘directed’ chieftains of South Kordofan to contain the violence between Beni Amer and Nuba tribesmen. This should also prevent the violence from spreading to other parts of Sudan.

Tawir said that the native administration had been used by the former regime against the communities, but that that era was over. He indicated that the native administration could play a positive role in the future.

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