Sudan’s justice minister to receive probe report on East Darfur tribal clashes
May 4, 2016 (ED-DAEIN) – A federal commission of inquiry into the recent deadly incident between Rizeigat and Maalia tribes in East Darfur state has completed its work and would submit its report to the minister of justice soon, said reliable sources
Following the incident, suspected Rizeigat gunmen killed three guards and burned down the house of East Darfur governor Anas Omer in Ed Daein accusing the latter of siding with the Maalia.
A well-informed source told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday that an investigation committee comprising of the ministries of justice and interior besides the security services has interrogated the deputy governor of East Darfur Mohamed al-Hassan and the commander of the military force separating between Rizeigat and Maalia.
Also, the commission of inquiry has interrogated commanders of Muhajiria and Khor Taan military garrisons as well as Maalia tribesmen who witnessed the incident.
According to the source the investigation commission would submit its findings to the minister of justice to take the legal measures.
He pointed that governor Omer has formed a second commission to probe the attack on his house, saying the committee has yet to finish its work.
Following the attack on his house, the governor declared a curfew from 7pm to 7am in the capital Ed-Daien vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The same source said that the deputy governor issued a decree preventing any tribe from going after their stolen cattle and putting the burden of retrieving the looted animals on the military force responsible for separating between the two tribes.
East Darfur state is witnessing one of the longest and most deadly clashes in the region between the Rezeigat and the Ma’alia tribes since 1966. The conflict between the two tribes is triggered by disputes over land ownership.
Both the Rezeigat and the Maalia are pastoralist tribes, based in East Darfur. The centre of Rezeigat territory is in Ed Daein town, while the Maalia centre is in Adila, the second largest town after Ed-Daein.