30 killed in fresh tribal attacks in Sudan’s West Kordofan

December 11, 2022 (AL NAHUD) – At least 30 people were killed and dozens were injured following clashes between armed members of two tribal groups in West Kordofan state over the weekend.

Ahmed Ibrahim Abu Shaqqa, a Humer tribal leader told Sudan Tribune that gunmen ambushed a group of his tribal who launched a manhunt operation for a gang of cattle rustlers who stole their livestock from Abu Jafala locality.

“The group of trackers was ambushed in the area of Abu Koa on Saturday. The attackers from the Misseriya tribe killed about 23 people on the spot and wounded more than 20, including seven who died at dawn on Sunday,” Abu Shaqq added.

The Humer and Misseriya pastoralist groups of West Kordofan clashed several times over the past two years over land ownership.

He described the presence of the government forces in the area as “negative” adding that the army and the Rapid Support Forces had been informed of the cattle theft but they withdrew before the attack on the trackers.

“The state government and the Security Committee are not neutral and siding with the components of the south of the state,” he said referring to the Misseriya.

The tribal leader called to reconsider the presence of these forces and to replace them with other forces from outside the state.

The security forces in the area are mainly composed of Misseriya elements

Sudan Tribune failed to reach the state governor for comment despite repeated calls.

(ST)