Central Darfur war: ‘genocide’ led by ICC Ali Kushayb, government -source

A former rebel group said what is happening in Central Darfur is not a tribal dispute, but a “genocidal war” carried out by Abu Tira leader Ali Kushayb and by the Sudanese government. The statement was made by Al Bashir Mohamed Zenidris, spokesman for the former rebel group JEM for Development.The breakaway faction signed an agreement with the West Darfur government in 2011.Ali Kushayb is reported to be the commander of the Central Reserve Forces (known as Abu Tira) of Rahad El Berdi locality in South Darfur, where fighting has spread to.The alleged war criminal, from the Al Taaysha tribe of Rahad El Berdi, is accused of committing murders, rapes and forcibly displacing thousands of people in Darfur. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in 2007.Government sources in South Darfur confirmed last week that Kushayb is Rahad El Berdi’s Abu Tira leader and that he was in the area by then.Witnesses said Kushayb is supporting the Misseriya since battles started almost two weeks ago in Umm Dukhun.“New genocide” JEM for Development spokesman said fighting between the Salamat and Misseriya took place between Friday and Sunday in Danbar, south of Mukjar in Central Darfur.He noted the tribes also clashed in Siri village, Umm Dukhun locality, and in the outskirts of Rahad El Berdi.All areas witnessed a “complete displacement” of its residents, he continued, stressing they were attacked by border guards and by Abu Tira led by Ali Kushayb.“What happened in Danbar, Siri and Rahad El Berdi is a new wave of genocide carried out by the government, border guards and Abu Tira. This is not a tribal dispute, but a systematic, ethnic cleansing war led by Ali Kushayb against certain tribes”, Zenidris said.Similar genocidal events happened before in Darfur against the tribes of Fur, Massalit and Zaghawa, according to the spokesman.15,000 families displaced Zenidris told Radio Dabanga 3,000 families have been displaced from Rahad El Berdi so far and 12,000 from Danbar.They have all moved to Markunda, an administrative unit belonging to Kubum locality in South Darfur.The conditions of these families are appalling, the spokesman said. He urged relief organizations to provide aid to them.“Daily airstrikes” A woman who fled one of the affected areas said the government carries out air and ground strikes on a daily basis in certain areas that are witnessing tribal clashes.She noted ground offensives are always executed with government vehicles.The source asked President Omar Al Bashir to stop the aerial bombardments and ground attacks and “remove his grievances against” them.Umm Dukhun In Umm Dukhun locality multiple witnesses alleged their villages were invaded by Misseriya tribesmen who looted their livestock on Friday and Saturday. Radio Dabanga spoke to residents of the Magula, Tartara Suuq Aweil, Murraya and Soreh.They said that more than 1,000 cows and 100 sheep and goats were stolen by the Misseriya. The livestock was taken to an area near Murraya and Magula, which is propitious for grazing and for fetching water.Onlookers also saw “militias carrying everything: chicken, birds, cooking tools, baby’s clothes”.Shops in Umm Dukhun city were plundered on Saturday at 6:30pm by the Misseriya, who afterwards opened fierce fire upon entering some of the town’s neighborhoods.Sources could hear sounds of gunshots until the next morning.Residents of Umm Dukhun who remained in the locality are reportedly traveling to Chad to purchase basic commodities.They mostly go to Kalma El Media, where some of the locality’s displaced are also stationed.Tensions in Umm Dukhun began to rise after a member of the Misseriya tribe allegedly tried looting and opening fire on a Salamat man, who was not hurt. Hostilities erupted the next day on 4 April when 4,000 men of both sides began battling each other.On 10 April leaders of the warring Misseriya and Salamat had signed a cessation of hostilities treaty and agreed to hold a reconciliation conference by 30 April.The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says Tissi town in neighboring Chad has received 50,000 refugees fleeing Central Darfur’s tribal clashes in one week. They are joining another 24,000 who have previously sought shelter in the city due to other conflicts. UNHCR calls this the “largest influx of refugees from Sudan into Chad since 2005”.Photo: UNHCR staff meet with refugees from Darfur in the Chadian town of Tissi (UNHCR)Related:Salamat-Misseriya violence continues in Darfur states (14 April 2013)Despite treaty, Central Darfur tribal clashes resume (12 April 2013)