South Darfur imprisons suspects for three months

Thirty-three detained Fellata and Salamat tribesmen are put in prison for the next three months in accordance with the Emergency Law, as they will be investigated for their suspected involvement in the recent tribal clashes in Buram locality.

The Emergency Law enables the prolonged detention of criminal suspects, the South Darfur Security Committee stated during its announcement on Thursday. A source in the committee told Radio Dabanga that the investigation is pending, but the inquiry commission has not yet questioned the 33 suspects. Among them are native administration leaders. All are currently held in the prison in Nyala's Koria neighbourhood.

A Omda of the Salamt tribe, Gibril Hassan Adam, Salamat, said that he supports the state's open investigation into the fighting and the measures that are being taken. The state has ordered the two tribes to be disarmed of any heavy weapons, and announced military forces will be deployed in order to prevent a recurrence of the fighting.

He told Radio Dabanga yesterday that “most of the violations by the fighting parties were caused by those who have not been held accountable for causing earlier tensions between the tribes”.

On 14 February, fierce clashes broke out between Fellata and Salamat in the area of Nadhif near El Malwi. There were 25 dead and wounded, according to the state. A cattle theft southwest of Gireida in the beginning of this month reportedly caused the tensions.

The Emergency Law is known to restrict many basic rights. Its provisions allow for the arrest and prolonged detention without charge of suspects deemed a threat to the national security. It has been imposed in Darfur for years.