The first test of the “Juba Agreement”: the bloody violence that devastates Kassala

Khartoum | Although the governor of the state of Kassala (east), Saleh Ammar, remained in Khartoum for a period of three months from his appointment until his removal, the city continued to live on a hot can during that period, until the decision of Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, arrived two days ago, and the judge Al removing the governor – who had previously agreed to his appointment last July – to add fuel to the fire, causing the situation in the city to explode, as his decision fueled the tribal conflict there , which caused a series of deaths and injuries, for which the authorities proceed, on the effect, When conducting an investigation into the facts, a state of emergency will be declared for a period of three days until calm returns.

Government spokesman Faysal Muhammad Salih claimed that groups loyal to the ousted governor deliberately organized a demonstration rejecting the decision to exempt him in one of the squares in the city of Kassala, after they had agreed with the security authorities to disperse the meeting after of a specific period based on “respecting the right of citizens to peaceful protest.” However, according to the spokesman, a series of protesters went to the state government building to occupy it and occupy the main bridge of the city, causing clashes between them and a joint force of police, army and “Rapid Support”, which seven civilians and one soldier were killed, while the number of wounded reached 29 people. Saleh indicated that the Public Ministry opened an investigation into the events to know the perpetrators from all sides, whether civilian or military, adding that the executive and sovereign are in continuous meetings with representatives of the different components to absorb the tensions and the negative effects that began to appear in the city as a result of the dissemination of racist discourse. And causing tribal conflict, and some exploit the tense situation in eastern Sudan.
For his part, the governor considered the article that the decision to exempt him came as a submission to the “blackmail” practiced by a group of remnants of the old regime under the guise of a tribal leader, in addition to a group of corrupt and stakeholders, who “They are working to drag the state into sedition,” considering that “the government’s response to the agenda This group aims to hinder the democratic transition.” Saleh Ammar revealed, through a post on “Facebook,” that he had a meeting with the Prime Minister on the 7th of this month, with various front-row leaders of the civil administrations in eastern Sudan and leaders of the “coalition for freedom and change”, noting that they all informed Hamdok of their rejection. The resignation or removal of the governor at this time, as it will be understood as a result of pressure, and at that time no one will be able to control the street. The meeting appealed to the prime minister, according to Ammar’s position, to exempt the latter from the rest of the governors after a few weeks within the terms of the “peace agreement” signed in Juba with the armed movements. The governor continued the article: “Now, these leaders of the civil administrations have the feeling that they have been betrayed, and that the State is confronting them, and the bullets and blood that have flowed show it.” He appealed to the cabinet and sovereignty to act quickly to save what could be saved.

Analysts of the military component of the “Council of Sovereignty” are not exempt from what is happening in Kassala of tribal fighting.

Observers blame the prime minister for the timing of his decision, even if he has his reasons, but it is not appropriate to take it at a time of strong tribal polarization in the city, since the announcement of the appointment of Ammar, who comes from the Bani Amer tribe. while the other side is run by the Hodandawa tribe led by tribal director Syed. Muhammad Al-Amin Turk. In light of the ethnic mobilization and the agitation of racist rhetoric, according to observers, it would have been more appropriate to keep the governor in office and postpone the decision to remove him, which came after a recommendation from the Security and Defense Council, until a decision is issued to remove all state governors, in preparation for the implementation of the “Juba Agreement”, which provides for the division of Sudan into eight regions, on the ground.
Meanwhile, the vice president of the “Sovereignty Council”, Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), ordered the regular forces to “impose the prestige of the state and fulfill their duty to protect citizens”, explaining that under the “agreement of peace ”the governors of the states would be exempted, announcing the formation of committees of experts. And the notables and civil administrations to solve the problem of eastern Sudan “a radical solution.” For its part, the “Revolutionary Front” asked “the arbitration of reason, extinguishing the fire of sedition and wasting the opportunity for those who hope for the revolution,” considering, in a statement, that “the conference of the peoples of the East Sudan will represent a real opportunity to make social reconciliations and complete the benefits of the peace agreement. ” As for the “Sudan Liberation Movement”, led by Abdel Wahid Nour, he condemned the excessive violence with which the police dealt with citizens, calling for immediate and public trials of the policemen involved in the shooting and of those who ordered them to do so. The National Umma Party, led by Sadiq al-Mahdi, criticized the government for not adopting its own view on appointing state governors, especially in states suffering from security fragility.
Analysts of the military component, which supports one of the tribal components against the other, do not apologize for the tribal fighting taking place in Kassala, the purpose of which is to destabilize and create security chaos, weaken the civilian government and occupy it during the period. transition by tackling chaos, instead of paying attention to people’s livelihoods and driving the wheel. Economy.

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