Tabit in North Darfur ‘besieged by armed herders’

The residents of Tabit and its neighbouring villages in North Darfur complained of a continued siege by armed herders, which prevent them from going out to collect firewood and straw. The herders assert that the land is specified for their cattle to graze.

Callers who spoke to Radio Dabanga from Tabit expressed concern that the continuing siege and aggression by the armed herdsmen would lead to starvation, displacement, and death of livestock.

They demand that the state Government and Tawila locality Commissioner intervene immediately to stop the abuses and violations by the militant herdsmen.

State Legislative Council

On Tuesday, the North Darfur State Legislative Council strongly demanded the state Government to put an end to the deliberate destruction of agricultural crops by the herders, and the implementation of the rules that govern the relationship between the herders and farmers.

At its meeting in El Fasher, the Council demanded obliging herders to be committed to the early grazing period as set by the rules in February of each year.

The Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Forestry, Anwar Ishag Suleiman, confirmed the responsibility of his Ministry in the agricultural field with regard to the fight against pests and diseases. He said that the deliberate destruction of foodstuffs is the responsibility of committees to protect the agricultural season.