Accusations of ‘genocide’ as Beni Halba, Gimir clash again in South Darfur

Several members of the Gimir tribe have reportedly been wounded, and a number of homes torched in renewed clashes between the Gimir and Beni Halba tribes in South Darfur. According to a spokesman from the Gimr tribe, 50 ‘Beni Halba gunmen’ in vehicles and on motorcycles, descended on Gimr areas of Shaatir, Al Buhaira, and Abu Krakir in Katila locality, South Darfur on Monday, wounding several members of the Gimr tribe, as well as torching numerous homes. “Due to this new upsurge in violence, the Gimir hereby cancel any peace agreements made”, spokesman Abakar Al Tom told Radio Dabanga. “The Beni Halba are using this opportunity to perpetrate genocide on the Gimr.” Al Tom told Radio Dabanga that this attack occurred in spite of the presence of special forces sent by Khartoum to occupy a buffer zone between the two parties. “The attack was possible because on Sunday evening, the special forces withdrew eastwards,” Al Tom said. “This latest attack makes all previous agreements obsolete,” he said. Earlier this year, a dispute over land ownership between the tribes left eight dead (four members of each tribe) and four wounded in South Darfur. 750 families were displaced when six villages in the area of Edd Al Fursan were burned as a result of the battles. Clashes between both tribes resumed following a relatively stable period since February. Both sides accused of each other of breaching a previous peace treaty, of which several have been signed and broken during a short period. Meanwhile in Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur, the reconciliation conference that was convened between the Misseriya and Salamat tribes on 3 June continues. Both sides have been presented with a draft agreement, but levels of compensation to be paid for damage sustained during the inter-tribal clashes are still the main barrier to a peaceful accord.File photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran/UnamidRelated:Misseriya and Salamat peace parley begins in Zalingei, Central Darfur (3 June 2013)Beni Halba deny government or foreign involvement in South Darfur tribal clashes (31 May 2013)Gimir calls foul following ‘tribal attacks’ in South Darfur (23 May 2013) Renewed Gimir-Beni Halba clashes in South Darfur, eight dead (22 May 2013) Gimir and Beni Halba tribes sign treaty in South Darfur (3 May 2013)