Attacks on South Darfur villages caused $130 million in damage, tribal leader says

January 10, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The total damage and economic loss from burring of South Darfur villages amounted to at least $130 million, a traditional leader said on Tuesday.

Several villages east of Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, inhabited by villages from the Dajo tribe were burnt during revenge attacks carried out by the Rezzeigat gunmen, on December 23, 2022.

Some 16,000 were displaced and ten were killed.

“The losses caused by the recent events in South Darfur amount to $ 130 million, in addition to the displacement of more than 7,000 families, according to the Humanitarian Aid Commission,” said Gaffar Kasfrok, the Dajo tribal leader told reporters in a press conference held in Khartoum.

15 villages have been totally or partially burned. Also, the assailing militiamen looted 11 other villages, Kasfrok further said.

The Dajo sultan pointed out that the attacks were carried out by armed groups using four-wheel drive vehicles and wearing the uniforms of the Rapid Support Forces.

He revealed that the death toll of the victims reached 14 dead after the bodies of three missing persons were found.

Tribal leaders from the two sides struck a cessation of hostilities on January 2. But Dajo tribal figures rejected the deal saying it did not speak about the trial of the perpetrator.

The Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council visited the affected area together with Hadi Idris, a member of the military-led body and leader of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front.

Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemetti” vowed to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

(ST)