Misseriya, Salamat ‘reach agreement’ at Zalingei conference in Central Darfur

After a month of ongoing negotiations – with violence periodically flaring-up among their tribesmen – the omdas of the Misseriya and Salamat tribes announced on Monday in Zalingei that they have “reached a reconciliation agreement”. Brokered by the independent ajaweed commission, the tribal delegations have agreed in principle to a “comprehensive peace agreement”. “The draft agreement was initialled on Monday by the Governor of Central Darfur,” ajaweed Committee Chairman Abdallah Khamis announced via Radio Dabanga from Zalingei on Monday afternoon. “The signing of the final agreement of reconciliation between the Misseriya and Salamat will be on Wednesday in Zalingei in the presence of the Sudanese Second Vice President Dr El Haj Adam Yusif, as well as a senior delegation from Khartoum,” Chairman Khamis confirmed. Omda Yusif Ishag Al Nur, spokesman for the Misseriya delegation, told Radio Dabanga that his tribe “believes in full that peace is the best route to a return to normality. We have even agreed to take advantage of the autumn season.” Omda Al Nur underscored that “inter-tribal problems will result in nothing but destruction. We must forget the past and live a new life,” he said. Speaking to Radio Dabanga on behalf of the Salamat delegation, Omda Abdallah Mohamed Hamid Ajeeb referred to “a wondrous message to all,” and appealed to both parties “to honour the obligations made in Zalingei, to make it a reality.” Omda Ajeeb appealed for a complete cessation of hostilities so that everyone can return to their villages. “We are in a race with the autumn season,” he concluded. Tensions began to rise between the tribes on 3 April in Umm Dukhun after a member of the Misseriya tribe allegedly tried to shoot and rob a Salamat man. Hostilities erupted the next day when 4,000 men of both sides began battling each other. Clashes then spread north, as well as to South Darfur, where the Al Taaysha tribe allegedly provided support to the Misseriya. The UNHCR has said that as result of the tribal battles 50,000 people sought refuge in Chad within a short period of time, terming it the “largest influx of refugees from Sudan into Chad since 2005”. File photo: Some refugees displaced by inter-tribal violence in Darfur have settled in Tissi in Eastern Chad (MSF) Related:Warring Central Darfur tribes ‘poised to sign treaty’ (27 June 2013) Sudan allowed its forces to attack civilians in Darfur tribal battles: HRW (3 June 2013)Misseriya and Salamat peace parley begins in Zalingei, Central Darfur (3 June 2013) New tribal clashes scuttle Central Darfur reconciliation hopes (27 May 2013)