Top Sudanese lawmaker criticises East Darfur governor over remarks

September 3, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The head of Sudan’s parliamentary subcommittee on foreign affairs,defence and security, Mohamed Al-Hassan al-Amin, has called on the governor of East Darfur state, Abdel-Hamid Musa Kasha, to bring those involved in instigating recent tribal clashes to justice, instead of throwing accusations at unnamed individuals.

On Monday, Kasha accused unnamed figures in the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of involving in the recent tribal clashes which broke out between Maalia and Rizeigat tribes in his state in order to serve their own political interests by showing the federal government their tribal weights and flexing their muscles.

Al-Amin said in press statements on Tuesday that the recent outbreak conflict between Maalia and Rizeigat was not the first one and will not be the last, accusing unnamed parties hostile to the government of igniting strife among Arab tribes in order to serve personal interests.

He called for bringing tribal conflicts to an end instead of exchanging accusations and ruled out the involvement of national parties in those conflicts, saying that “patriots don’t incite murder”.

The NCP key lawmaker further demanded that Kasha move to bring those involved in the clashes to court, adding “if he has evidence, he should immediately take legal action instead of the loose talk”.

More than 100 people were killed last month when clashes between the Rezeigat and the Maalia tribes broke out in the Kilaikil area located north of the state capital, El Daein, which both groups claim as part of their territory.

The Maalia has accused Kasha, who is a member of the rival Rezeigat tribe, of siding with the Rezeigat and supplying them with government vehicles and weapons.

On August 22nd, both tribes signed an agreement committing them to stop fighting and to resolve their difference peacefully.

Kasha further said that public opinion should receive adequate information on the tribal conflict in East Darfur state.

Tribal fighting has become the major source of insecurity in Darfur since the beginning of the year, forcing over 300,000 people to flee their homes.

Last June, Bashir warned against tribal strife in some areas of the country, noting that Sudan is facing challenges that require cooperation of all its people.

“The tribal conflicts in a number of Sudan’s areas constitute the biggest threat to the country”, Bashir said when addressing a meeting of the Shura (consultative) Council of the NCP.

Different officials in Darfur including the head of the regional authority, Tijani El-Sissi, also said that tribal violence is among the biggest threat to ongoing efforts to implement a peace document signed in Doha more than two years ago.

(ST)