South Darfur governor says security situation ‘stable’
June 17, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The governor of South Darfur state Adam Mahmoud Jar Al-Nabi has asserted that the security situation in all localities of the state is calm including the capital city of Nyala.
Last March, a Sudanese paramilitary force attacked El-Geneina bus stop market in Nyala, robbing merchants and bystanders, according to eyewitnesses.
In the same month, a cargo train which was on its way from Nyala to the city of Daein in eastern Darfur was attacked by unidentified armed robbers near Khor Taan area which is located 60 km east of Nyala.
The governor, who was briefing the state legislature on the security situation on Monday said that strenuous efforts are being made to end security threats.
The head of the state’s legislative council, Ali Adam Osman, said in press statements that the governor briefed the council on the measures taken to enforce stability and address security threats specifically ones related to tribal conflicts between Bani Halba and Al-Gimir tribes as well as Taaisha and Salamat tribes.
Osman disclosed that Al-Gimir and Bani Halba tribes have agreed to resume reconciliation meetings next week in Nyala.
Tribal violence has mounted in Darfur during the past months which pushed the UNAMID to call on the conflicting parties to avoid whatever may threaten the peace in the restive region.
Late last May, at least 23 people were killed and 51 others injured yesterday in tribal clashes between Al- Gimir and Bani Halba tribes in South Darfur state.
Last January, seven people were killed and four others injured in similar clashes between the two tribes.
The top lawmaker further pointed out that the governor told the council that sufficient police forces have been deployed to areas of tribal conflicts which led to an improvement in the security situation.
According to Osman , the governor also briefed them on the stock of the basic commodities such as sugar, fuel, and flour as well as steps being taken to secure commercial convoys delivering strategic goods to meet the needs of the of Ramadan (fasting month in Islam).
The governor pointed that military activities of the rebel groups in the south and south east of the state has receded.
Violence in Darfur has subsided from its peak in 2003 and 2004, but a surge in fighting has forced more than 130,000 people to flee their homes since the start of this year, according to the United Nations.
War broke out in Darfur in 2003 when rebels took up arms against the central government, accusing Khartoum of neglecting the remote region and marginalizing its ethnic minorities.
Despite the presence of the world’s largest peacekeeping mission, UNAMID, fighting between Sudan’s army and rebels has continued since then, alongside banditry and tribal clashes.
Last week a UNAMID peacekeeper was killed and two others were wounded in southern Darfur town of Muhajiriya.
Most major Darfur rebels remain outside the Doha peace deal signed two years ago in Qatar.
(ST)