Abbala, Beni Hussein tribes sign cease-fire treaty, N. Darfur

Administrative leaders of the Arab tribes of Abbala and Beni Hussein signed a cease-fire treaty in the presence of the governor of North Darfur, Osman Kibir, on Thursday, in Saraf Omra locality, North Darfur, Radio Dabanga has learned. The document stipulates that hostilities must be ended between the warring parties, who have been clashing for over 10 days now. In addition, a reconciliation conference to address the differences that led to the armed clashes is scheduled for 15 April 2013, as stated on the treaty. The charter also states that all roads in the region affected by the hostilities must be opened and that an Abbala/Beni Hussein joint delegation must be formed to assess the material damages and the death toll since the beginning of the clashes.   The joint delegation should also be in charge of identifying members from both sides that have committed crimes during the fighting. It was also agreed that Abbala and Beni Hussein tribesmen should not continue seeking for gold at the Jebel ‘Amer mines until security arrangements are made.    Situation still tense Nevertheless, witnesses told Radio Dabanga on Friday that the situation is still tense in the localities of al-Sref Beni Hussein, Saraf Omra and Kabkabiya. Additionally, the roads between al-Sref Beni Hussein and Saraf Omra and between Kabkabiya and Saraf Omra remain closed, “despite the fact the warring parties signed a document the day before agreeing to open them”. The witnesses’ accounts above were confirmed by the Beni Hussein Nazer Adam Abdul Karim. He added that Abbala members are still stationed by the main roads in the region, despite orders stating otherwise.Related:Local leaders: 260 killed, 150 villages burnt in N. Darfur (17 January 2013)Rival tribal parties to meet before reconciliation conference, N. Darfur (14 January 2013)