Khartoum Curfew Ends as Violence in the Sudan Capital Subsides

Sudanese authorities have lifted a curfew imposed two weeks ago to stop the capital's worst violence in decades, which killed at least 111 people.

"We have lifted the curfew," an Interior ministry official said. "There will be no checkpoints, but the forces will still be out on the streets."

News of the sudden death of former southern rebel leader and newly sworn-in First Vice President John Garang two weeks ago sparked riots in Khartoum’s central commercial streets and suburbs.

Tit-for-tat violence followed, polarising the capital’s northern Muslim and southern Christian communities. But Khartoum has remained largely peaceful over the past week.

John Garang had fought with his Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) for 21 years to ensure that predominantly-Christian south of Sudan would gain equality with the Muslim-majority north. However, earlier this year Garang signed a peace deal with the Khartoum government, bringing hope to the war-ravaged region.

The agreement ensured wealth and power would be shared, and allowed Garang to take up a position as vice-president of Sudan, and president of southern Sudan on 9th July 2005.

However, just three weeks after this historic event, Garang tragically was killed in a helicopter clash in southern Sudan sparking off the riots in Khartoum. His former deputy and successor, Salva Kiir, took up the post last week.

Meanwhile, about 13,000 refugees have been made homeless by floods in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region, where Christian Aid is working with Women in work schemes.

Christian Aid Partner Sudanaid is responsible for supplying the women with all the materials necessary to make the mats in order to give them greater independence in their daily lives. The money the women make can be used by them to then buy more food and supplies for their children, who attend the camp’s UNICEF school.

One Sudanese official said: "Unless we ensure that this region is finally developed it will be difficult to help people return home. If we are to resolve this conflict, development must be part of the peace plan."