Army, tribal leaders ‘restore calm’ to Garsila, Central Darfur

The situation in Garsila, Central Darfur, is “calm but cautions” after inter-tribal violence that erupted on Monday and reportedly claimed 24 lives and left 23 injured. As reported previously by Radio Dabanga, the violence was sparked when, according to witnesses, the merchant Yaqoub Abubakar, a member of the Salamat tribe, was killed – allegedly by Misseriya tribesmen – in his shop at Garsila market. On Tuesday, after one day of fighting between Misseriya and Salamat tribesmen, local leaders expelled the militias as the Sudanese Army spread through the city to restore peace. The clashes left 14 members of the Misseriya dead, including militia commander Hassan Ahmed Hamari, also known as Abu Rugba, as well as his deputy. Twelve members of the tribe were injured, and have been admitted to Garsila hospital for treatment. A Salamat leader told Radio Dabanga that his tribe suffered ten dead and 11 injured. Salamat and Misseriya leaders attended an Ajaweed conference and signed a “reconciliation accord” in Zalingei at the beginning of July, aimed at breaking a cycle of violence that broke out following a dispute between the tribes in Umm Dukhun in April. That violence left hundreds dead and wounded on each side, and – according to UN estimates – caused 50,000 people to seek refuge in neighbouring Chad. The Salamat leader reassured Radio Dabanga that Monday’s violence was “an incident” and “will not compromise the peace process”. File photoRelated:  Robbery in Garsila market, Central Darfur, escalates into inter-tribal clash (23 July 2013) Misseriya, Salamat ‘reach agreement’ at Zalingei conference in Central Darfur (1 July 2013)