UN reports tribal clashes in Darfur, 7 killed and 30 wounded

Jan 4, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Clashes between nomads and farmers killed seven people and injured another 30 in Darfur, where a commercial bus was also ambushed and the compounds of a U.N. agency and an international aid group were raided this week, the U.N. mission in Sudan said Thursday.

The clashes between the Jamala and Terjam tribes erupted in the South Darfur locality of BulBul Abu Angra on Tuesday, the U.N. reported, stating that Sudanese national security deployed to stabilize the zone.

Also in South Darfur, bandits on Wednesday attacked a commercial bus on a road 18 miles north of the regional capital, Nyala, wounding four people. One Sudanese police officer and a bandit were also injured in the gunfight, the U.N. said in its Internet statement.

Also Wednesday, a U.N. vehicle was hijacked in the West Darfur capital of El Geneina. The U.N. said it strongly suspected members of the pro-government janjaweed militia in this attack.

“While cases of carjacking have recently decreased, figures soared in 2006,” the U.N. statement said.

Some 118 vehicles were stolen in Darfur in 2006, of which 28 were recovered and 90 are still missing, the U.N. said.

“The use of these stolen vehicles by armed militia and rebel factions in further attacks is a growing concern,” the U.N. statement said.

The U.N. said it had five vehicles stolen, while international aid groups lost 96 and the African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur lost 17.

Two AU peacekeepers are being held hostage since their car was hijacked in December, as are five Sudanese water engineers seized in October.

(AP)