A Spreading Contagion

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At least 25 people died this week during days of tribal clashes in southern Sudan, prompting fears that the ongoing fighting between the country’s rival generals will lead to violence spreading to other provinces, the Associated Press reported.

Health officials and local media said clashes began Monday between the Hausa and Nuba tribes in the White Nile province bordering South Sudan.

Although such violence is not uncommon in Sudan’s southern and western provinces, it comes as the African country reels from a civil conflict playing out in other parts of the country since last month. The war is part of a power struggle between Sudan’s military head Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan and Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who commands the powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces.

The fighting – mainly centered in the capital Khartoum – has already spread to other regions and claimed more than 600 people. The United Nations estimated this week that around 700,000 people have been displaced by the conflict.

UN officials warned that food insecurity in the nation is expected to rise to record levels and affect more than 19 million people.

Meanwhile, a commitment to protect civilians was signed by the warring factions Thursday amid negotiations being held in Saudi Arabia to establish a temporary truce. Both sides agreed to ensure civilians safe passage from areas affected by the conflict, the Guardian reported, but the agreement is not a ceasefire.

The negotiations are part of a Saudi-United States initiative to allow for humanitarian aid to access afflicted areas as a prelude to an agreed permanent ceasefire.

US diplomats described the talks as “difficult” with the military demanding that the RSF withdraws from Khartoum’s areas, while the paramilitary group insists on retaining control of its bases. Previous ceasefires have also failed to take root.

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