‘Historic moment’ as Abbala, Beni Hussein sign treaty in North Darfur: Kibir

The Abbala and Beni Hussein tribes signed a final comprehensive peace agreement in El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, on Thursday afternoon under the auspices of the state’s Governor, Osman Kibir. More than 20 people from each tribe signed the treaty, including the field commanders (Hakim Dar) and local administrators and legislators of the local administration, with 350 representatives of the legislative administration from both sides present. The final formal signing ceremony will take place on Saturday. “Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, first Vice President of Sudan, and the Ministers of Defense, Interior, and Justice will be present,” Omda Hamed Mohamed representative of the Abbala and omda of the Saraf Omra locality said in an interview with Radio Dabanga. “The signing was by mutual consent and without any limitations or conditions on either side. The treaty stipulates that roads will be reopened immediately to the nomads (Masarat) and displaced persons will return home,” Omda Mohamed said. Al Tayyeb Yaqoub Mohamed Ibrahim, a member of the Legislative Council of the State of North Darfur and representative of Al Sareif Beni Hussein said the signing of the peace agreement happened after three days of discussions.“The initiative was put forward by the Hakim Dar of the two parties. The reconciliation agreement holds more than 20 items, notably the formation of joint mechanisms composed of both tribes to resolve any violation or breach,” he explained. Ahmed Ali Hassab Al Rassour, Hakim Dar of Abbala in Saraf Omra locality confirmed their commitment to the signing of the final peace treaty with Beni Hussein. “The agreement stipulates that the Hakim Dar of each side will make joint troops available to assure the implementation of the peace process.The joint force aims also to avoid any violations and hold perpetrators accountable individually – not on behalf of any of the tribes – if there is any violation or breach of the treaty.” In a speech following the signing, Governor Kibir said that this was “a historic moment,” pointing out that “the interests of both parties are represented in the treaty”. The Government of North Darfur has set the ‘blood money’ for each fatal victim at SDG30,000 ($6,800) instead of SDG40,000 ($9,000). Vice President Taha, Darfur Regional Authority Chairman Dr Tijani Sese, and Sudan’s Chief of Security Mahomed Atta, will reportedly arrive in El Fasher on Friday, ahead of the official signing ceremony on Saturday. Al Fatr Abdel Aziz, Deputy Governor of North Darfur will read the treaty during the acceptance ceremony. Deputy Governor Aziz called on both sides “to put a halt to violations, to open roads, to disarm the crowds, to restore occupied land even if it is being farmed, and to stop the media campaign”. One of the conditions of the treaty is that both tribes must completely withdraw from the Jebel ‘Amer gold mine, and hand control over to the government. The two tribes fought violently earlier this year over control of the Jebel ‘Amer gold mine in Al Sareif Beni Hussein locality, leaving about 500 people dead and more than 100,000 displaced, according to UN estimates. Since then, sporadic clashes between the tribesmen have often given rise to concerns for the peace process.Related:Renewed violence between Abbala and Beni Hussein in North Darfur (26 June 2013)Abbala tribe ultimatum to Sudan government: Intervene or we’re out (25 June 2013)New Beni Hussein – Abbala violence in North Darfur (23 June 2013)Preparations complete for Beni Hussein, Abbala tribe summit in North Darfur (29 May 2013)Report: North Darfur gold mine conflicts not inter-tribal; Sudan regime behind them (14 May 2013)