37 killed in tribal clashes in South Darfur

Feb 20, 2007 (NYALA) — Thirty-seven people were killed and others wounded Monday in clashes between the Abbalah Rizaygat and Turjum tribes in Miyja area, 40km south of Kas town in South Darfur State. 16 of the Turjum and 21 of the Abbalah Rizaygat died and others were wounded during the incident.

The commissioner of Kas, Al-Sheikh Ahmed Babikir stated that the problem began when the Turjum accused the Abbalah Rizaygat of stealing their livestock and formed a band to retrieve it. The Abbalah Rizaygat on the other hand denied they were involved in the incident.

Al-Sheikh Babikir pointed out that Kas’s security committee had managed to contain the problem.

Al-Sheikh Babikir further pointed out that despite the incident, sessions of the reconciliation conference between the two tribes in Zaifah would continue until a final solution was reached to the problem in order to stop the blood shed in the area.

He said the governor of the state had visited the scene of the incidents and had talked with the native administrators of the disputing sides. In addition he said the state’s joint committees were continuing to work with the aim of putting out the fire of discord. Al-Sheikh Babikir pointed out that no displacement had occurred as a result of the clashes.

(ST)