Farmers complain about trespassing camel herders

A number of residents from several villages in North Darfur told Radio Dabanga on Tuesday October 30 that the cattle of armed herders has been grazing on the large farmlands east of Kutum and west of Gubba since the second day of Eid al-Adha. A farmer from the area explained that the armed herders arrived to the farms with their cattle during Eid al-Adha at night time. He told Radio Dabanga that when the farmers tried to expel them, they were threatened by the herders.The farmer expressed his fear that the harvest will be lost if the situation continues, explaining they started harvesting recently. Residents pointed out that the military rule established cages for keeping abandoned livestock, but until now the cages cannot be used by farmers. They explained that the cages were placed by the regional military rule, but have not been prepared for use. A number of residents from east Kutum and surrounding villages appealed to the Governor and state authorities for an immediate intervention to stop the camel herders from trespassing onto their farms.They explained that the trespassing could lead to tensions and clashes which could jeopardize the harvest.