Truce on the streets of Aswan, negotations continue

After three days of bloody clashes between Hilail and the Nubian Dabodeya tribes in Aswan, the two groups agreed on an open truce for at least three days, a move mediated by Aswan Governor Mostafa Yousri, state-owned EgyNews reported.

The agreement between the two tribes included a number of clauses, such as the stipulation that there will be no attacks during the period of the truce, mutual media campaigns will cease, and youth arrested from both tribes will be released, except in cases where these individuals have been charged with criminal offenses. In addition, the tribes agreed to keep the conflict contained between them, without allowing it to spill over into other regions or parties, as well as turn in those who were involved in the killings or other injustices committed.

The two tribes also agreed to expedite the burial of the bodies of the two sides after obtaining the approval of the public prosecutor, and establish a fact-finding committee to determine the causes of events, which would also document all losses, including damage to property, businesses, vehicles and livestock.

According to Magdy Daboody, the Aswani activist, clashes have stopped since yesterday and the military is controlling the streets.

However, Daboody also told Mada Masr that the youth don’t recognize this truce.

“We are holding a meeting tonight, in which four youths will represent one of Aswan’s 44 villages. We will choose 10 youths out of the 176 to lead Aswan in the next days,” Daboody added. “We need a new leadership. The old leadership no longer provides what we need.”

At least two people were killed on Sunday in renewed clashes between the two tribes.

This comes following the death of at least 23 people on Friday and Saturday in the ongoing violence that has gripped the al-Sail al-Reefy area, east of Aswan.

The dispute started on Wednesday between two students, but escalated on Friday when members of Hilail killed four Nubians belonging to Dabodeya, including a woman.