More than 30 people have been killed and 100 injured in tribal conflicts that began last week between Hausa and Fung tribes in the southeastern state, close to the border with Ethiopia, according to Sudanese officials and the United Nations.
Officials said on Sunday that they would strengthen security in the state and investigate the clashes. Curfew has been declared in two cities.
Protesters in the capital marched towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan, chanting “Stop the Civil War,” “The Blue Nile is Bleeding,” and “Cancel the Juba Peace Agreement.”
Sporadic outbreaks of violence have occurred in many parts of Sudan, including the eastern coastal regions and western Darfur, despite the signing of a nationwide peace deal by some rebel groups in Juba in 2020.
The anti-military movement, which has sparked protests since the coup in October 2021, has accused the military of inciting internal conflict and failing to protect civilians.
“The continuation of the coup means more deaths, as we have seen in the Blue Nile, Darfur and elsewhere,” said 43-year-old Mohamed Idris, a protester in Khartoum.
Military leaders have said their takeover was necessary to maintain Sudan’s stability amid political infighting, and they are working to forge peace agreements in Darfur and other regions.