Salamat-Misseriya violence continues in Darfur states
Fierce tribal clashes that broke out in Central Darfur between the Salamat and Misseriya tribes are entering their second week. Violence continues to spread to South Darfur. Salamat Nazir (top administrator) Mohamed Al Bashir Musa told Radio Dabanga from Nyala that in a new wave of clashes in South Darfur homes and properties of Salamat tribesmen are being targeted inside Rahad El Berdi city.Musa confirmed the occurrence of new casualties, but he was not able to provide further details about them. According to the Nazir, “efforts by Rahad El Berdi’s authorities are now underway” to promote an agreement between Salamat and the local tribe of Al Taaysha and stop hostilities.Tensions in Umm Dukhun began to rise after a member of the Misseriya tribe allegedly tried looting and opening fire on a Salamat man, who was not hurt. Hostilities erupted the next day on 4 April when 4,000 men of both sides began battling each other.50,000 refugees The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says Tissi town in neighboring Chad has received 50,000 refugees fleeing Central Darfur’s tribal clashes in one week.They are joining another 24,000 who have previously sought shelter in the city due to other conflicts. UNHCR calls this the “largest influx of refugees from Sudan into Chad since 2005”.Most of the latest arrivals are women and children, who are living in dire conditions without water, food, or medicines and are sleeping under trees.In a press statement the UN agency expressed concerns that the number of refugees could increase as clashes continue across the border.Its staff has witnessed “thick heavy smoke in the Darfur skies fearing this may be the result of more houses being set on fire in the nearby Darfur villages.”On 10 April leaders of the warring Misseriya and Salamat had signed a cessation of hostilities treaty and agreed to hold a reconciliation conference by 30 April.File photo (Albert Gonzalez Farran/ UNAMID)Related: Ten thousands of Darfurians fleeing Sudan to seek refuge in Chad (13 April 2013)
Fierce tribal clashes that broke out in Central Darfur between the Salamat and Misseriya tribes are entering their second week. Violence continues to spread to South Darfur.
Salamat Nazir (top administrator) Mohamed Al Bashir Musa told Radio Dabanga from Nyala that in a new wave of clashes in South Darfur homes and properties of Salamat tribesmen are being targeted inside Rahad El Berdi city.
Musa confirmed the occurrence of new casualties, but he was not able to provide further details about them.
According to the Nazir, “efforts by Rahad El Berdi’s authorities are now underway” to promote an agreement between Salamat and the local tribe of Al Taaysha and stop hostilities.
Tensions in Umm Dukhun began to rise after a member of the Misseriya tribe allegedly tried looting and opening fire on a Salamat man, who was not hurt. Hostilities erupted the next day on 4 April when 4,000 men of both sides began battling each other.
50,000 refugees
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says Tissi town in neighboring Chad has received 50,000 refugees fleeing Central Darfur’s tribal clashes in one week.
They are joining another 24,000 who have previously sought shelter in the city due to other conflicts. UNHCR calls this the “largest influx of refugees from Sudan into Chad since 2005”.
Most of the latest arrivals are women and children, who are living in dire conditions without water, food, or medicines and are sleeping under trees.
In a press statement the UN agency expressed concerns that the number of refugees could increase as clashes continue across the border.
Its staff has witnessed “thick heavy smoke in the Darfur skies fearing this may be the result of more houses being set on fire in the nearby Darfur villages.”
On 10 April leaders of the warring Misseriya and Salamat had signed a cessation of hostilities treaty and agreed to hold a reconciliation conference by 30 April.
File photo (Albert Gonzalez Farran/ UNAMID)
Related: Ten thousands of Darfurians fleeing Sudan to seek refuge in Chad (13 April 2013)
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