Abbala tribe ultimatum to Sudan government: Intervene or we’re out

Roads leading to Al Sareif Beni Hussein city remain closed by Abbala tribesmen in fear of new attacks on the city, should further clashes occur between Abbala and Beni Hussein. Abbala tribe spokesman Hussein Ahmed warned that “if the National Congress Party does not solve the problems and intervene, then the Abbala will withdraw from the government.”“We will seek another direction to take, to join the rebel movements or to build our own rebel movement.” Also he appealed to Beni Hussein: “If they want peace, (they must) lay down their guns.”Ahmed accused the Beni Hussein tribe of violating the peace agreement by attacking the Abbala in the Al Hijer area, stealing a camel and killing and wounding others.“There are now about 260 Abbala vehicles surrounding Al Sareif Beni Hussein town from all directions”, said Ahmed to Radio Dabanga. He warned the government, which has reportedly had air patrols over the area since Monday, “not to attack the town as they did last time”. As previously reported by Radio Dabanga, renewed clashes between the tribes resulted in a suspension of the secure goods and petrol convoys between Saraf Omra and Al Sareif Beni Hussein over the weekend. The closure of the road has also isolated the areas from the rest of Darfur.The Abbala spokesman also sharply criticised the peace committees and mechanisms created by the government, describing them as “corrosive”. “They shouldn’t start something that will disappear one hour later; that is only to the benefit of the government,” he said, alluding to the period Khartoum spent talking during the peace conference without achieving reconciliation between Abbala and Beni Hussein.The two tribes fought violently earlier this year over control of the Jebel ‘Amer gold mine in Al Sareif Beni Hussein locality, leaving at least 500 people killed. The UN estimates that more than 100,000 people were displaced. File photo by Albert González Farran/UNAMIDRelated: Tribal tensions close vital road in North Darfur (24 June 2013) New Beni Hussein – Abbala violence in North Darfur (23 June 2013)Preparations complete for Beni Hussein, Abbala tribe summit in North Darfur (29 May 2013)Report: North Darfur gold mine conflicts not inter-tribal; Sudan regime behind them (14 May 2013)