‘Calm descends’ between Gimr and Beni Halba tribes in South Darfur

The fighting between Gimr and Beni Halba tribesmen that flared-up on Monday has ceased in South Darfur and calm prevailed on Tuesday, according to one of the tribal leaders. Speaking to Radio Dabanga from Ed Al Fursan city, Beni Halba leader Fathi Madi Al Toum has strongly denied allegations from the Gimr, as reported previously by Radio Dabanga, that the Beni Halba have the support of government forces and are engaging in genocide. He said the accusations are “false and void”. The Beni Halba delegation is still present at the negotiation table in Nyala,” he said. “We are extending our hands to our Gimr brothers, saying ‘enough is enough’. We need to put an end to the fighting.” Clashes between both tribes resumed at the beginning of this week following a relatively stable period since February, when the Gimr and Beni Halba clashed over land disputes.Since then, the  two sides have been accusing each other of breaching previous peace treaties; all of which have been signed and broken during a short period. File photo by Albert González Farran/UNAMID Related: Accusations of ‘genocide’ as Beni Halba, Gimr clash again in South Darfur (24 June 2013)