Over hundred killed in fresh tribal clashes in West Darfur

June 13, 2022 (GENEINA) – At least  111 people have been killed in tribal clashes in the western Darfur area of Kulbus, 100 km north of El Geneina, the capital of the troubled state.

The bloody conflict between the Gimir and the Rizeigat tribes erupted last week due to a dispute over agricultural land between two people and continued until Monday.

“111 people from the Gimir tribe were killed, while there are dozens of missing people who have not been found,” Abdel Rasoul al-Nur Executive Director of Kulbus locality, told the Sudan Tribune.

He added he had no information about the number of victims from the side of the Arab tribes.

Al-Nur mentioned that about 12 thousand residents of the town fled the area, pointing out that the local authorities deployed troops with 80 security vehicles to separate the two groups, end attacks and protect five drinking water sources.

The local official said the situation s under control in 70% of Kulbus locality, and that efforts are exerted to reduce tensions between the two groups.

West Darfur state has witnessed a series of intercommunal clashes between the Rizeigat Arab tribes and African ethnic groups during the past two years.

Tribal clashes earlier this year in the Kereneik area displaced about 124,000 people. Also, 36 villages across the locality were affected, of which five were completely looted and burned, according to UNOCHA.

Abkar Altom Adam, Secretary-General of the Gimir Shura Council, told the Sudan Tribune that the Arab militias, backed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), “carried out the most violent attack” against his tribe.

Adam stressed that over one hundred people had been killed and about 500 wounded, describing the attack as “genocide”.

He said that the cause of the conflict was a dispute over a plot of agricultural land claimed by a member of the Arab tribes.

Several Tribal Arab leaders declined to speak about the clashes when the Sudan Tribune reached them.

UNITAMS Head Volker Perthes condemned the tribal violence in Kulbus and called to protect civilians.

“The cycle of violence in Darfur is unacceptable and highlights root causes that must be addressed. I call on community leaders, authorities, and armed groups to de-escalate and ensure the protection of civilians,” Perthes in a tweet posted on Monday.

The local groups often accuse the RSF militia who are from the Arab tribes of backing their clans saying they use the weapons against the civilians.

In return, the Rizeigat say the former rebels who are still armed due to the non-implementation of the security arrangements use their weapons against the Arab.

(ST)