The governor of Sudan’s Blue Nile region, Ahmed al-Omda Badi, has extended a state of emergency in the region for three months, according to a gubernatorial decree.
The decree, signed on Sept. 23 and seen by Radio Tamazuj, cited the security and crime situation and recommendations from the Blue Nile Security Committee. It takes immediate effect.
It authorises the commander of the army’s 4th Infantry Division, police and intelligence authorities to take measures deemed necessary to maintain security under Sudan’s 1997 Emergency Law and related regulations.
The decree also cited directives from Sudan’s Security and Defence Council and an October 2022 directive by the head of the Sovereign Council and army chief.
Blue Nile has seen renewed fighting between the army and an alliance of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), particularly in Kurmuk and Geissan localities, displacing thousands of people.
Separately, Badi issued an emergency order restricting motorcycle movement in Damazin and Roseires.
The order bans motorcycles from being driven or moved within the administrative boundaries of the two cities between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following day.
It applies to all motorcycles, with exemptions for the armed and security forces on official duties, authorised official and humanitarian missions, and other cases approved by the governor or his representative.
Police and other security agencies have been ordered to enforce the measure and take legal action against violators.
A first offence carries up to three months in prison or a fine of up to 500,000 Sudanese pounds. A second offence carries up to six months in prison or a fine of up to 1 million pounds.
For a third offence, the maximum penalty can be doubled and the motorcycle confiscated for the government, according to the order.
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