Fighting renews in Darfur

Photo credit: Radio Dabanga

Darfur is once again making headlines. According to yesterday’s news reports, about 60 people were killed and 83 injured in renewed fighting between the Bani Hussein and Rizeigat tribes over mining rights in Darfur, in a feud which threatens to displace more people.

According to the Sudan News Agency (SUNA), the fighting which erupted Saturday is the worst since a cease-fire agreement was reached last month. The agency said fighting began when a group of armed tribesmen riding four-wheel -drive vehicles and camels attacked the area of El-Sireaf in North Darfur.

The above reports confirmed earlier allegations by deputy chairman of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in Al Serif locality, Hussein Mohammed Al Mahdi who said that weapons used by armed tribal groups during the fighting were quite advanced and included heavy artillery and fully equipped vehicles. High-profile attacks were carried out within one hour on more than 45 villages spread around the locality, all of which were completely burned down, said Al Mahdi.

Taking the above into consideration, and the fact that Amnesty International has also accused government forces of involvement in the clashes, we reiterate that it is the responsibility of the government to urgently investigate the issue and take appropriate measures as it is very clear now that the situation has escalated out of control, and could lead to more killing and displacement.

 According to official reports, the area is still unsecured and over 120 villages have been destroyed since the fighting broke out last month.

Although these reports affirm that great efforts are being made in order to ease tensions between the two tribes, cement the cease-fire and salvage the deteriorating humanitarian situation, the tragic inter-tribal fighting has cast a long shadow on the overall situation in Darfur region.

Official figures say hundreds of people have been killed and about 70,000 were displaced from their homes because of the fighting; a development which sparked fears among the citizens that the conflict could spread to other states, further destabilizing the entire region.

Such incidents have grave consequences on the lives of citizens, and what is happening now in Darfur is completely unacceptable and should be controlled by the central government which needs to live up to its responsibility of protecting citizens and their property. The people of Darfur are also urged to put their differences aside and work for the development and reconstruction of their home states.