Sudan clashes kill 'at least 50'




At least 50 people have died in clashes between South Sudan's army and Darfuri Arab tribes along the country's north-south divide, reports say.

It is the most serious violence reported since Sudan held elections held between 11-15 April.

They were the first multi-party polls in 24 years but were marred by irregularities and alleged fraud, and results have been delayed by days.

The violence will likely raise tensions between north and south, analysts say.

The latest fighting happened on Friday between Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) soldiers and Arab tribesmen from the western region of Darfur, said a tribal spokesman.

The violence left at least 85 tribesmen wounded, he added. Reports suggest reinforcements from both sides are heading to the scene of the fighting.

"There are many members of the Rezeigat tribe who are heading to the [site of the clashes] in order to help out," one of the tribal heads, Mohammed Issa Aliou, told AFP news agency.

He said the Arab nomads had been searching for new pastures for their cattle near the border with the southern state of Western Bahr al-Ghazal.

The SPLM said a company of 120 soldiers had come under attack by "armed men wearing uniforms of the northern army that were heavily equipped".

The clashes came shortly before final results from the polls were expected to be released.

Results so far, mainly from the north of the country, show President Omar al-Bashir's party has a strong lead.

President Bashir is widely expected to be re-elected, while the SLPM are likely to hold onto power in the semi-autonomous south.