‘Dozens killed, wounded’ in new Misseriya-Salamat violence in Central Darfur

The renewed violence between Misseriya and Salamat tribesmen has left “dozens dead and wounded in the Abugaradil region” of Central Darfur, witnesses have told Radio Dabanga. According to several witnesses, the clashes broke out during the day on Tuesday in Abugaradil area and spread to the nearby area of Al Guerle. They reported seeing “dozens of bodies and wounded people” as a result of fighting in which various kinds of weapons were used, including rifles and Land Cruisers mounted with ‘Dushka’ machine guns. In the meantime, Misseriya and Salamat leaders continued the Reconciliation Conference in Zalingei, that was convened on 3 June, but has not yet produced concrete results. The main stumbling block is apparently agreement over compensation levels for losses sustained during the original violence. Witnesses say the Salamat raised the amount to SDG23 million, while the Misseriya estimate the amount at SDG12 million. The ajaweed (neutral mediation tribes) committee asked the Salamat to reduce their claim from SDG23 million to SDG13 million, and the Misseriya from SDG12 million to SDG8 million, but no concessions have yet been made. According to news from Zalingei, the government of Central Darfur has given the negotiators until next Saturday to reach an agreement and to resolve the crisis, turning-up the pressure for the tribes to sign a long-awaited peace agreement.88% of structures torchedHRW in a report released last week says that Abugaradil town and neighbouring villages saw 2,800 buildings torched, which corresponds to 88 percent of structures in the whole area. Similar accounts have also been provided by local witnesses to Radio Dabanga numerous times since the conflict started.Tensions erupted in Umm Dukhun when a member of the Misseriya tribe allegedly tried to rob a Salamat man, who was not hurt. Hostilities broke out the next day when 4,000 men from opposing sides began battling each other. Clashes then spread north and to South Darfur. The UNHCR said that more than 50,000 people fled to Chad as a result. Human Rights Watch and Radio Dabanga both indicated, based on witnesses’ accounts, the participation of Ali Kushayb, a suspected war criminal wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), in the same battles. Kushayb, a member of the South Darfuri Al Taaysha tribe, fought alongside the Misseriya against the Salamat in Central and South Darfur. File photo by Albert González Farran/UNAMID Related:‘Conditions remain unacceptable for Darfuri refugees in Chad’: MSF (25 June 2013)Report: Satellite images confirm villages destroyed in Central Darfur (20 June 2013) ‘At least 100 dead, dozens injured’ as Salamat and Misseriya clash again in Central Darfur (11 June 2013)Sudan allowed its forces to attack civilians in Darfur tribal battles: HRW (3 June 2013)Misseriya and Salamat peace parley begins in Zalingei, Central Darfur (3 June 2013)Misseriya torch Salamat neighbourhood in Umm Dukhun, Central Darfur (29 May 2013)‘Incidental’ Central Darfur tribal clashes ‘no threat to peace process’ (28 May 2013)