Tribal clashes kill 67 people in South Darfur
August 21, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – Around 67 Arab tribesmen have been killed in clashes between Misseria and Rizeigat tribes over claims to water in a remote part of arid South Darfur State, rival clansmen said on Thursday.
The conflict between the two Arab nomads tribes began in July, when the two tribes clashed over the pasture and water sources which are almost non-existent during the summer.
The fighting broke out late Wednesday morning in the remote Abu Jabra area, close to the border with South Kordofan state.
Sadig Babo Nimir, brother of the Misseriya leader accused the Rizeigat of starting the fighting on Wednesday by attacking a Misseriya camp, partly in revenge for fighting over resources earlier in the year.
However Mohamed Isa Aliow, a senior member of the Rizeigat, said that the Misseriya had started the fighting. He added that Sudanese government had been informed about the growing tension between the two groups in vain.
With regard to the number of the victims, the Misseria say 55 people were killed: 17 Misseria and 38 Rizeigat while the Rizeigat put the number of causalities at 67.
The huge amounts of weapons in the hands of the two tribes explain the important number of victims. The two tribes were involved in the war against the former rebels in southern Sudan but the Rizeigat who live in northern Darfur and Chad are in large part involved in Darfur conflict.
UN officials in Darfur say tribal clashes are common throughout the vast desert region, which suffers from miserable resources.
Tribesmen on both sides confirmed that elders were working together to restore good relations and prevent a return to further clashes.
Five years ago African ethnic minority rebels in Darfur took up arms against the Arab-dominated Khartoum regime, fighting for such resources and power.
The United Nations says that up to 300,000 people have died and more than 2.2 million have fled their homes since February, 2003. Sudanese government says 10,000 have been killed.
(ST)
Maper
Tribal clashes kill 67 people in South Darfur
Sudan government arms the arab tribes with the intention of killing Darfuri and Abyei people. Now these tribes have turned the guns against themselves. Therefore, the government must disarm them so that there will be peace between themselves, and African Sudanese tribes.
DAVID N.
Tribal clashes kill 67 people in South Darfur
The Janjaweed militiamen are tribes of Rizeigat and head of chief is Musa Hilal.
The Darfur conflict involved with this tribe, even though Misseria with Fur, and Zhagawa all consists themselves as arab nomadic tribes victims of Darfur. Further looking into the Khartoum, the Darfur conflicts triggers even though among Darfuri itself.
More of all, involvements with Chad, Darfur needs to be independent in 2011 from Sudan.
David N.