Reconciliation committee ends tribal tension

A reconciliation committee was able to intervene and stop the clashes between the Misseriya and Mahariya tribes on Sunday. The clashes broke out on Friday September 21 in Naga Douli, north of Zalingei in Central Darfur, leaving dozens dead and wounded. The committee, headed by Amir Fadl Ahmed el-Nur, confirmed that government forces separated the two tribes and are now in full control of the area. Haroun Imam Hassan, a Misseriya assistant nazir, appealed through Radio Dabanga to the two tribes to stop fighting immediately and return to the voice of reason and tolerance. Conflict began in 2010 According to the committee, the reason behind the clashes dates back to an incident in 2010 when a border guard stole 30 cows from the Misseriya tribe. The border guard was arrested and sent to prison. A top commander of the border guards, captain Abu Rafas, promised to pay 30 million Sudanese Pounds (SDG) to compensate for the loss, provided that the detained border guard would be released. The conflicting parties agreed that the compensation would be paid on September 21. When a delegation from the Misseriya tribe arrived in Naga Douli area and the detainee was released, the border guards refused to pay. Then they opened fire on the Misseriya delegation, killing three and injuring two others. The situation escalated and clashes erupted between the two tribes, leaving dozens dead and injured, a source told Radio Dabanga from Zalingei.Related content: Tribal clahses in Central Darfur leave dozens dead (23 September, 2012)