Tribes sign accord for peace, reconstruction and development in Central Darfur

Delegations of the Misseriya and Salamat tribes signed a peace accord on Wednesday in Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur, following a month-long ajaweed reconciliation conference aimed at ending months of violence between the tribesmen. Casualty figures submitted to the ajaweed show that the hostilities left 193 Salamat and 106 Misseriya dead. The Misseriya wounded number 106, with the Salamat tally of injured at 111. The signing ceremony was attended by Sudanese Second Vice President Dr Haj Adam Youssef, the head of the Darfur Regional Authority, Dr Tijani Sese, Head of the Council of States Adam Hamid Musa, and the Minister of Justice Dr Mohamed Bishara Dosa. The agreement provides for the cessation of all hostilities and aggression between the tribes, and for the former foes to assist each other in reconstruction and development. Its terms include an appeal to the federal government to provide development and reconstruction of the affected areas so that re-displaced persons and refugees can return to their home areas. The ajaweed conference called on the federal government “to take strict and critical measures against those members of the regular Sudan Armed Forces, Border Guards and Central Reserve Forces (known as Abu Tira) who participated in the events”.’Reject tribalism’ Speaking after the signing, Vice President Youssef called on both parties to respect the agreement that has been reached and reject tribalism. He expressed a hope that “the imminent month of Ramadan will present an opportunity for all the current tribal conflicts in Darfur to end”. The Governor of Central Darfur, Dr Yousef Tibin congratulated both tribes, and echoed the Vice President’s wish for both parties to comply with the agreement. Salamat delegation member Anur Abakar Bhat thanked the delegation thanked the ajaweed conference and the Governor of the State for their efforts which resulted in this reconciliation agreement. He told Radio Dabanga that “the Misseriya and Salamat have reached an agreement that is binding on both parties, and we hope that everyone will abide by it”. The question of compensation of losses was the final major hurdle for the ajaweed. The total losses and reparation assessments for the Salamat were ultimately set at SDG12.45 million ($2.8 million). The compensation for the Misseriya was determined at SDG8.3 million ($1.9 million). Tensions originally began to rise between the tribes on 3 April in Umm Dukhun after a member of the Misseriya tribe allegedly tried to shoot and rob a Salamat man. Hostilities erupted the next day when 4,000 men of both sides began battling each other. Clashes then spread north, as well as to South Darfur, where the Al Taaysha tribe allegedly provided support to the Misseriya. The UN High Commission for Refugees has said that as result of the tribal battles 50,000 people sought refuge in Chad within a short period of time, terming it the “largest influx of refugees from Sudan into Chad since 2005”. Seven entire villages, including their markets, were completely destroyed during the conflict. This includes Abugaradil and nearby villages, which according to Human Rights Watch, had 88 percent of their structures torched.File photo Related:Misseriya, Salamat ‘reach agreement’ at Zalingei conference in Central Darfur (1 June 2013)Report: Satellite images confirm villages destroyed in Central Darfur (20 June 2013)Sudan allowed its forces to attack civilians in Darfur tribal battles: HRW (3 June 2013)