Representatives of the Beni Amer and Nuba tribes in Sudan’s Red Sea state signed a reconciliation deal on Sunday under pressure from the country’s most prominent military commander after clashes that triggered a state of emergency and left at least 16 dead last month.

Sudan is embarking on a three-year transition after the overthrow of former president Omar al-Bashir in April and faces challenges including simmering insecurity in several regions and a deep economic crisis.

The clashes broke out in the country’s main sea gateway of Port Sudan, also used by South Sudan to export oil, shortly after the signing of a power-sharing deal between Sudan’s military and civilian groups.

Sunday’s deal was signed after General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, a member of Sudan’s new Sovereign Council, threatened to expel both sides from the country if they refused to commit to reconciliation.

The Sovereign Council is the highest body in a transitional structure that includes a technocratic government named this week.