Peacekeepers host discussion on ongoing South Darfur conflict
October 22, 2008 (EL FASHER) – The United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) held a meeting with regional factions at its Sector South headquarters. UNAMID and the factions discussed ongoing conflicts in the Muhajeriya and Sinet areas.
The Sudan Liberation Army-Minni Minawi (SLA/MM) representative attending the meeting declared that these where tribal conflicts between the Zaghawa and Maaliya.
Maaliya are Arab pastoralists that have clashed with Zaghawa before, for instance in early 2007. Some observers have said that the Maaliya were not involved with the Janjaweed militias that attacked Darfur villages, driving many of the region’s civilians into camps for refuge, while other reports have suggested that they have divided loyalties.
According to the UN Secretary General’s July 2007 report on Darfur, some 300 armed Maaliya attacked internally displaced persons in the Argo and Dabanera camps near Tawilla, Northern Darfur, on April 26, 2007, committing acts of looting, physical assault and kidnapping. Reportedly, in February 2007 about 300 Maaliya militiamen attacked a village in south Darfur as well.
October and November is a time of migration from northern Darfur to southern grazing areas. SLA/MM, which includes many migratory Zaghawa, therefore could have a role to play in the conflict or in its mediation.
A Minawi representative informed UNAMID that SLA/MM authorities were making efforts to mediate between the tribal leaders in the area and mentioned that the government of Sudan expressed interest in taking part in the reconciliation meeting.
Minawi himself was away from Khartoum more than four months to protest the ill-implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement that he signed with the government in May 2005. He only repaired his tense relationship with the government after negotiations with Vice President Taha in September.
The former rebel chief during his four months stay in Darfur met with non-signatory rebels and it was also reported that he went to the Chadian capital to attend a rebel meeting there, but he dismissed such allegations.
(ST)