East Darfur governor says tensions caused by ‘war of rumours’
The governor of East Darfur, Abdel Hamid Musa Kasha, announced that the situation in the state is “calm and under control” following a series of incidents over the past few days between members of the Ma’alia and Rizegat tribes.Tensions between the tribes began to rise when Ma’alia members allegedly stole several cattle belonging to the Riezegat, and when a Ma’alia merchant, Hashin Houmeida, nicknamed Al Libi, was allegedly killed by Riezegat tribesmen.These events prompted a high-level security delegation, as well as Sudanese army troops, to be despatched to state capital Ed Daein on Thursday.Governor Kasha said to Radio Dabanga that no gatherings of tribes members were reported and he confirmed that no clashes or looting ocurred in the area on Friday. He continued saying that no one, from any tribe, was expelled from Ed Daein, Adila or Abu Karinka. “What is happening is because of poor security added to a war of rumours caused by merchants of war and mercenaries,” Kasha claimed.The Governor admitted that youth of both tribes are inciting further tension by “circulating pamphlets and writing foul statements online.”Lastly, Kasha disclosed that authorities managed to return the stolen cows to the Rizeigat and that they are “very close to catching the perpetrators who killed Al Libi.”File photo: Governor of East Darfur Abdel Hamid Musa Kasha (SUNA)Related: Troops, delegation despatched to East Darfur to quell tribal tensions (8 August 2013)
The governor of East Darfur, Abdel Hamid Musa Kasha, announced that the situation in the state is “calm and under control” following a series of incidents over the past few days between members of the Ma’alia and Rizegat tribes.
Tensions between the tribes began to rise when Ma’alia members allegedly stole several cattle belonging to the Riezegat, and when a Ma’alia merchant, Hashin Houmeida, nicknamed Al Libi, was allegedly killed by Riezegat tribesmen.
These events prompted a high-level security delegation, as well as Sudanese army troops, to be despatched to state capital Ed Daein on Thursday.
Governor Kasha said to Radio Dabanga that no gatherings of tribes members were reported and he confirmed that no clashes or looting ocurred in the area on Friday. He continued saying that no one, from any tribe, was expelled from Ed Daein, Adila or Abu Karinka.
“What is happening is because of poor security added to a war of rumours caused by merchants of war and mercenaries,” Kasha claimed.
The Governor admitted that youth of both tribes are inciting further tension by “circulating pamphlets and writing foul statements online.”
Lastly, Kasha disclosed that authorities managed to return the stolen cows to the Rizeigat and that they are “very close to catching the perpetrators who killed Al Libi.”
File photo: Governor of East Darfur Abdel Hamid Musa Kasha (SUNA)
Related: Troops, delegation despatched to East Darfur to quell tribal tensions (8 August 2013)
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