Efforts underway to reconcile two Darfur tribes after bloody clashes

August 22, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – A reconciliation conference will be held in the coming weeks to reconcile two Darfur tribes after violent clashes, a Sudanese official said today.

Around 67 Arab tribesmen have been killed in clashes between Misseria and Rizeigat tribes over claims to water in a remote part of arid South Darfur.

Omer Suleiman, the governor of South Kordofan, told Sudan official news agency (SUNA) that the convention will be held the fifth day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

SUNA reported that South Kordofan Security committee toured the regions of Kardi in Maglad and Abu-Jabra in South Darfur and extended condolences to the families of the victims.

The committee took of note of the arrival of large numbers of security officers and soldiers to contain the situation and prevent further clashes.

This week Sadig Babo Nimir, brother of the Misseriya leader accused the Rizeigat of starting the fighting on Wednesday by attacking a Misseriya camp, partly in revenge for fighting over resources earlier in the year.

However Mohamed Isa Aliow, a senior member of the Rizeigat, said that the Misseriya had started the fighting. He added that Sudanese government had been informed about the growing tension between the two groups in vain.

UN officials in Darfur say tribal clashes are common throughout the vast desert region, which suffers from miserable resources.

UN experts estimate some 300,000 people have died and 2.5 million driven from their homes in Darfur. Sudan blames the Western media for exaggerating the conflict and puts the death toll at 10,000.

(ST)