UN warns against tribal clashes in central Darfur

September 13, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations has warned against the outbreak of tribal clashes between the Misseriya and Salamat in Central Darfur state and revealed that field reports show large mobilisation of armed groups in areas of Um Dokhon, Bendasi and Mukjar.

A humanitarian bulletin issued by the UN Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that according to local authorities in Central Darfur, armed Misseriya and Salamat tribesmen have mobilised in these three localities in preparation for conflict despite the reconciliation agreement signed by representatives of the two tribes in early July.

Over 40 people were killed and about 45 others injured in clashes between Al-Salamat and Misseriya tribes in Central Darfur state last June.

OCHA added that armed clashes had worsened the security situation and hampered the work of the reconciliation committee, pointing that 4,000 people have fled their homes because of fears of violence outbreak.

The UN agency also said that 12,000 displaced persons have arrived in the town of Um Dokhon, saying that humanitarian partners are providing food for the fleeing population.

The OCHA bulletin further said that due to government restrictions on humanitarian access to Adila and Abu Karinka, an estimated 134,000 newly displaced people from these localities remain unreachable.

The government cites ‘security concerns’ for these restrictions.

“According to the HAC, these people fled their homes following fighting between the Rizeigat and Ma’aliya tribes in Adila and Abu Karinka localities since 9 August. Humanitarian organisations in Adila locality, including the international NGO Merlin, the national NGO Merciful Hand and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), will be verifying and assessing the needs of the displaced people in the locality as soon as access is granted”, OCHA said

Inter-tribal clashes erupted last January between members of the rival Arab northern Rezeigat (Aballa) and Beni Hussein tribes, fighting for control of the region’s gold mines.

(ST)