‘754 dead’ from Darfur tribal strife in 2014

The clashes between Ma’aliya and Rizeigat tribesmen in East Darfur have caused the majority of the more than 700 human fatalities during tribal conflicts in 2014, the National Council for Strategic Planning in Sudan reported.

Tribal conflicts caused the deaths of 754 people last year, the planning council stated. 537 of them were killed in East Darfur in January, March, and several times in the summer, and eleven people in Central Darfur, as fighting between Ma’aliya and Rizeigat tribesmen erupted.

The National Council for Strategic Planning (NCSP) also reported this week that 867 people were killed in tribal clashes in in 2013. 595 of them died in the conflict between the Beni Hussein and Abbala tribes in El Sareif Beni Hussein locality in North Darfur. 54 tribesmen were killed in the Misseriya-Salamat fighting in Um Dukhun locality in Central Darfur.

This year, after various cases of cattle rustling by both Rizeigat and Ma’aliya tribesmen, fierce clashes erupted north of Abu Karinka town in the early morning of 11 May. Fighting also erupted in the town’s northern neighbourhoods, where Rizeigat tribesmen reportedly shelled a number of houses. At least 100 people were killed, and about humanitarian organisations reported that as a result 24,000 families became displaced.

President Omar Al Bashir attended the first annual meeting of the NCSP on Monday, where he directed the cabinet to ensure that the council shoulders its responsibilities, pointing to a strategy to eradicate tribalism in the country. 

Related articles:

Sudanese committee concludes first inquiries into Rizeigat, Ma’aliya clashes (5 June, 2015) 

Rizeigat, Ma’aliya clash in Abu Karinka, East Darfur (6 July, 2014)

Ma’aliya, Rizeigat clash for second time within two days in East Darfur (21 March, 2014)

Death toll of Ma’aliya-Rizeigat clashes in East Darfur reaches 305 (14 August, 2013)