Five killed in tribal clashes in East Darfur
July 1, 2015 (ED DAEIN) – Five people were killed, including a policeman, Wednesday, when clashes erupted between Birgat and Khazam tribes in East Darfur state after a dispute over the ownership of agricultural land.
The fighting took place in Saleah area, Yassin county , north-west of Ed Daein, when Birgat farmers started cleaning the farms, in preparation for planting season but they were intercepted by Khazam gunmen who killed an elder of the Birgat tribe .
“The two tribes clashed because individuals from the Khazam tribe prevented Birgat farmers from planting. The clashes resulted in the death of four Birgat and the wounding of six others,” an eyewitness told Sudan Tribune .
A police force intervened to prevent the fighting between the two parties but the Khazam gunmen shot at the police, killing one policeman and wounded another,he added.
East Darfur state is the theatre of tribal fighting between the Ma’alia and Rezeigat tribes but this is the first time that a conflict erupts between the two small tribes of Birgat and Khazam.
Sudan Tribune correspondent was not able to know the casualties among the Birgat but he learnt that their wounded were transported to Saleah hospital for treatment.
Sudanese officials say concerned by the increase of tribal conflicts which become the main source of violence in Darfur region.
They admitted the failure of traditional mediation and reconciliation processes and vowed to use the force to impose the state authority and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
(ST)