Sudanese government seeks to contain deadly inter-tribal fighting in East Darfur
May 12, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – A delegation from the federal government arrived in the capital of East Darfur state of El-Daein on Tuesday in a bid to calm the situation caused by clashes which erupted over the weekend between the Rizeigat and Ma’alia tribes which left hundreds either dead or injured.
The Sudanese 1st Vice President Bakri Hassan Saleh held an emergency meeting today with the defense and interior ministers along with the intelligence director to discuss the unfolding developments in wake of the tribal fighting.
Earlier today, a commission of inquiry comprised of security and military figures arrived in El-Daein and held a lengthy meeting with the state security committee to discuss ways to deescalate the situation.
The government is believed to be preparing to send massive reinforcements to prevent renewed fighting between the rivals.
Sudan’s foreign Minister Ali Karti told reporters that the fighting represents a major security flaw and undermines the narrative about the restoration of security in Darfur.
“This state creates a situation that does not help the talk on stable security in Darfur and constitutes a step backward,” Karti said before underscoring the ability of the army, security and police to contain the violence.
The National Congress Party (NCP) deputy chairman and presidential assistant Ibrahim Ghandour said that a political and popular delegation will travel from Khartoum to East Darfur to end the tribal feud there.
Ghandour warned against leveling accusations against federal officials of standing behind these clashes without evidence.
He said that president Omer Hassan al-Bashir is personally following events there adding that the government is undertaking precautionary measures to reduce the impact of violence.
A number of journalists staged a sit-in in front of the presidential palace in Khartoum to denounce the recurrence of tribal clashes in Darfur and tried to hand over a memorandum but security forces asked them to leave on the grounds that they did not obtain permission.
Several of these journalists had a family member perish in these clashes.
Opposition parties also issued statements today condemning the violence and calling for an immediate stop.
The National Conesus Forces (NCF) opposition umbrella blamed the situation on the government for feeding racial tensions and upholding tribalism over nationalism and taking sides in the conflict.
The conflict between the Rizeigat and Ma’alia is one of the longest tribal feuds in Darfur. It first broke out in 1966 over a land dispute. It turned more violent after the discovery of oil in the disputed areas in recent years.
120,000 civilians were displaced as a result of the conflict which renewed in August 2013.
Since last July, more than 600 people were killed and 900 wounded in the clashes while 55,000 were displaced.
(ST)