Sultan’s delegation hopes to facilitate accord between warring Darfur tribes

A high-level delegation of native administrators under the leadership of Sultan Saad Bahraldeen of Dar Massalit has arrived in Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur. The Sultan’s team will meet with delegations of the Misseriya and Salamat tribes in what has been termed “a serious attempt to push the parties to reach a peace agreement”. Following hostilities between the two tribes that have flared-up periodically over the last eight weeks, the tribes’ omdas convened a reconciliation conference in Zalingei at the beginning of June. Both delegations were handed a draft agreement for perusal and approval a week ago. However, in spite of the leaders’ repeated reassurance of their commitment to the peace process, deadly clashes and skirmishes have continued between tribesmen on the ground. In an interview with Radio Dabanga, the Sultan confirmed that the arrival of his delegation in Zalingei is the practical inauguration of the initiative he announced last week via Radio Dabanga. “The delegation of the native administration leaders have met with the parties and urged them to patiently engage in dialogue, resort to the voice of reason and compromise until a fair formula for peace is reached,” he said. The sultan stressed that they had “a great response from both parties” and emphasised that his visit “might push the parties to sign a peace deal”. Sultan Bahraldeen appealed to all parties in Darfur to resort to the voice of reason to unite the people of Darfur. “Unity, both at leadership and grassroots level will enable the people of Darfur to fullfil the basic needs they have been deprived of for so long. “We must eradicate the disease spreading in the hearts of people in Darfur,” he said. He told Radio Dabanga that his delegation will tour three areas in West Darfur, Nyala in South Darfur and El Fasher in North Darfur, adding that he plans to meet next week with delegations of various areas “to urge them to lead a peaceful coexistence”. File photo (Albert González Farran/ UNAMID)Related: ‘Calm returns’ to Umm Dukhun, Central Darfur, as leaders parley (12 June 2013)‘At least 100 dead, dozens injured’ as Salamat and Misseriya clash again in Central Darfur(11 June 2013)Misseriya and Salamat peace parley begins in Zalingei, Central Darfur (3 May 2013)Misseriya torch Salamat neighbourhood in Umm Dukhun, Central Darfur (29 May 2013)