At least three dead, five injured in West Darfur clashes

At least three people were killed and five others wounded in clashes between farmers and herders in Kereinik locality, West Darfur, today. More than 20 houses burned to the ground. Dozens of livestock were stolen. The clashes started at about 2 o’clock this morning when herdsmen released their camels and cattle by force of arms at the farmlands in the area of Kangok, east of Azerni, a farmer told Radio Dabanga from Azerni. “A first fight erupted, in which two herders were killed, and another was injured. In response, militants among the herders gathered, and, riding on motorcycles, camels, and horses, attacked the village of Kangouk at 8 am. They ransacked the village and torched more than 20 houses,” he reported.“Two villagers were killed. Eight others, who sustained various injuries, had to be transferred to the military hospital of Aramta and the Royal Hospital of El Geneina. The attackers also seized almost all the livestock of the village.” Other witnesses told Radio Dabanga that the militants also attacked the neighbouring villages of Liway, Ardamei, Um Sibeika, Burri, Riheid Meiram, and Hillet Goz, and robbed the residents of all their money and livestock. Three dead, five injured The commissioner of Kereinik locality, Younes El Haj, confirmed the attacks by the herders, saying that three villagers were killed, and five others were wounded. He explained to Radio Dabanga that the problem started when herders released their camels at farmlands in the area on Tuesday. “In the ensuing clash, one herder died. The next morning, outlaws among the herdsmen gathered, and attacked a number of villages near Azerni. They torched 20 houses in Kangok, and plundered the other villages. One herder was killed, as well as one villager. Five people were injured.” El Haj added that the authorities sent military forces to the area to contain the situation and prevent new clashes. Through Radio Dabanga, he appealed to the farmers and herders in the locality to “listen to the voice of reason, and stop fighting”. He urged the herders not to enter their livestock into the farmlands, noting that the “agreed upon dates of free grazing are yet to come”, while he called on the farmers to speed up their harvesting. According to the commissioner, frictions and disputes between pastoralists and farmers “exist since ancient times”. “The warring parties should resolve their conflicts peacefully with the support of Ajaweed [arbitration council of elders], not with arms.” File photo: Cattle in Demeika village, North Darfur (Albert González Farran/Unamid) Related:Herders kill farmer, graze livestock on farms in Central Darfur (3 December 2014) Darfur herders demand grain from farmers (12 November 2014) Four farmers slain by herders in North Darfur (9 November 2014) Livestock destroyed harvest in Kutum, North Darfur farmers report (9 November 2014)