Tension between Abbala and Sudanese troops in C. Darfur

Shops closed their doors and citizens fled to their homes following tensions between an Abbala member and a soldier belonging to the joint Sudanese-Chadian forces on Tuesday, at Umm Dukhum city, Central Darfur. Onlookers told Radio Dabanga clashes between both men erupted at the market’s livestock section, located on the east side. Amid the dispute, the Abbala man shouted for support what led the soldier to take cover at the headquarters of the joint Sudanese-Chadian forces, located south of the market. Nevertheless, eyewitnesses continued, the Abbala and his supporters chased the soldier who in turn was backed up by his armed colleagues. The Abbala group then halted the attack and withdrew to Umm Dukhum’s market and to other neighborhoods. Next, residents began to flee and to remove the sick and wounded from the hospital, anticipating clashes to further escalate at the town. “Under control” Mohamed Mussa, deputy of the governor of Central Darfur, asserted the situation in Umm Dukhum locality has been under control for the past few days following the clashes that broke out in the area between different tribes that “left several dead”. Additionally, he asserted that the fighting tribes, Abbala, Beni Hussein and Almima, have reconciled.   The policeman and commissioner of Umm Dukhum, Yahiya Ali Hussein, confirmed the situation is currently under control. He pointed out that crowds were dispersed and that roads closed during the clashes were reopened. On his turn, Ali Issa Adam Musa, omda of Seleleh and of Saraf El-Bakhs, confirmed that the fighting has stopped and that crowds were dispersed but denied that tribes have reconciled. He urged tribesmen to resolve their differences and to let local citizens return to their homes. Radio Dabanga file photo Related:Abbala coalition group raids villages in C. Darfur (21 January 2013)C. Darfur Abbala, Beni Hussein clashes ongoing, death toll rises (18 January 2013)