Herders target farmers in Darfur and Kordofan

A farmer was killed by militant herders in North Darfur this week, and a herder was killed and three others were injured in attacks by gunmen in South Kordofan.

Activist Yahya El Khumus told Radio Dabanga that Mudasir Mousa was tilling his farm on Thursday, in the area of Um Lamina in Kutum, North Darfur, when herders forcefully moved their camels and cows into his farm. When he confronted them, they shot him. He died instantly.

El Khumus said that members of the Kutum security committee, present in the area, managed to arrest two of the perpetrators.

The security committee was in El Hamra, not far from Um Lamina, where they were negotiating with the farmers who closed the road leading to El Fasher on Wednesday in protest against the recurrent attacks by herders moving their livestock into farmlands in the area.

El Khumus demanded that the authorities put an end to the violations and abuses of farmers.

Disputes between herders and farmers occur regularly in Darfur at this time of year. As the rainy season ends in September and the herders need fresh pastures, they let their camels and cattle graze on farmlands that have not yet been harvested. Each year, farmers complain about livestock destroying their crops.

South Kordofan

In Delling locality, South Kordofan, a herder was shot dead, and three others were injured in separate incidents on Wednesday and Thursday.

A group of unidentified gunmen killed a herder in the neighbourhood of Tema, near Wali, and mutilated his body on Thursday, one of his relatives told Radio Dabanga. The reason for the attack is unclear.

On Wednesday, armed men attempted to steal cows grazing in the neighbourhood of Wali. Relatives of the victims reported that in the ensuing clash, Daoud Nimir and Bashir Melees were injured. Nimir was seriously injured, and had to be transferred to El Obeid Teaching Hospital in North Kordofan.

In a separate incident in the area of Wali on Wednesday, 16-year old herder Muhsin Hamdan was wounded by cattle herders. The herders constructed their cattle pens near Baboya village. When Hamdan protested, they shot at him. The young herder is being treated at a hospital in Delling town.

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