North Darfur governor forms committee to investigate tribal clashes
July 13, 2015 (EL-FASHER) – North Darfur governor Abel-Wahid Ibrahim on Monday formed a committee to investigate clashes between the Barti and Zayadia tribes and to consider ways to deploy a joint force from the army and the police.
Last March, some 30 people were killed and injured in clashes between Berti and Zayadia tribes near Mellit in North Darfur state.
Following the clashes, the two sides traded accusations as the Zayadia said the attack was carried by militiamen supported by the former governor who is a Berti. While the latter pointed an accusing finger to the leader of the Arab Mahameed clan, Musa Hilal who is an arch enemy of Osman Kibir.
In a decision released in El-Fahser Monday, the new governor formed a higher committee to address the conflict between the Berti, Zayadia and Beni Amran. He further appointed the state minister of agriculture and irrigation, Adam Al-Nahala as chairman of this body.
The decree provides that this committee has to meet the parties to the conflict to investigate the cause of the dispute besides making an inventory of losses declared by the two sides. Further, it has to review what has been implemented from the decisions of reconciliation conference between Berti and Ziyadia tribes in 2012.
The committee also has to provide a plan for the deployment of a joint army -police force to prevent the resumption of hostilities between the two tribes and to ensure security and stability in the area.
Following the deadly fighting between Ma’alia and Rizeigat in East Darfur state earlier this year, the national government in Khartoum decided to abandon its old approach based on the promotion of traditional reconciliation conferences.
Khartoum decided that the priority should be given to the establishment of the state’s authority and to mend the social fabric. The governors of Darfur states have been appointed from outside the region. In addition, it was decided to deploy police and army elements from outside the region to end the tribal violence.
In East Darfur state, the governor went further to appoint the state ministers from outside the state.
(ST)