North Darfur roads still closed after tribal clashes

Vital roads connecting the localities of Saraf Omra and Al Sareif Beni Hussein in North Darfur remain closed despite an agreement signed last month between the Abbala and Beni Hussein tribes stipulating they be immediately reopened.Earlier this year, the two tribes clashed violently over control of the Jebel ‘Amer gold mine in Al Sareif Beni Hussein locality, leaving about 500 people dead. The UN estimates that more than 100,000 people were displaced. Since then, sporadic clashes between the tribesmen have often given rise to concerns for the peace process.Sources speaking to Radio Dabanga said the closed roads “damage the interests of local citizens and result in the rising prices of food and other commodities.” The movement of citizens, commercial traffic, and the transportation between the two localities are made with the support of a military convoy once or twice a week, they explained.“There are three checkpoints of Abbala militias on the road between Saraf Omra and Al Sareif localities and this is harming us,” a source disclosed. File photoRelated: Abbala-Beni Hussein treaty ‘good for North Darfur agriculture’: Minister (30 July 2013)