Military guard as ‘some traffic resumes’ in North Darfur

For the first time in 11 days, commercial convoys consisting of 14 vehicles guarded by the military managed to move from Al Sareif Beni Hussein to Saraf Omra on Monday in North Darfur. Vehicles en route from Tina and Abu Gamra in North Darfur have been stranded in Al Sareif for the last 11 days. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that a military convoy guarded the vehicles on the way to Saraf Omra until the area of Jebel Joran on the border between Al Sareif and Saraf Omra localities where they handed over the guard duty to another local force until reaching Saraf Omra. Each vehicle reportedly had to pay SDG500 ($113). According to reports reaching Radio Dabanga, the road leading from Al Sareif to Kabkabiya has remained closed so far. North Darfur Governor Osman Kibir confirmed that there have been no clashes at any location and that “the joint mechanism between the Abbala and Beni Hussein tribes to address the incidents has resumed its work”. He said that “the special committee for losses of inventory between the two sides has completed its task and presented its report in preparation for later announcement at the reconciliation conference”.The Abbala and Beni Hussein tribes fought violently earlier this year over control of the Jebel ‘Amer gold mine in Al Sareif Beni Hussein locality, leaving at least 500 people killed. The UN estimates that more than 100,000 people were displaced.  File photo Related: ‘Army repels Abbala attack’ in North Darfur – three killed, four wounded (30 June 2013)‘Beni Hussein bury 62 in North Darfur’ following tribal violence (27 June 2013)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)