Unamid: Prominent Darfuris discuss ways to address tribal conflicts

Prominent Darfuri leaders took part in a conference to discuss the root causes of the recent tribal conflicts in the region and find possible solutions for sustainable peaceful coexistence amongst tribes, Unamid announced in a press statement.The forum, held in Khartoum on 9 September and organised by the mission, brought together more than 114 participants from Darfur who reside in Sudan’s capital. They were representing parliamentarians, former walis (governors) and ministers, civil society organisations, government officials and community leaders, as well as women and youth associations.The chairman of the Darfur Regional Authority, Tijani Sesi, and the Unamid Deputy Joint Special Representative (DJSR), Joseph Mutaboba, opened the conference.“As key political, social and intellectual leaders of Darfur, your meeting today demonstrates your readiness to address the recurring tribal conflicts and finding solutions for sustainable peaceful coexistence in Darfur,” Mutaboba said during the opening speech.The deputy head of the Mission added that social peace and reconciliation are key prerequisites for security, stability and development. “We should all work together and cooperate effectively in preventing further bloodshed and tribal conflicts,” he said. “Help us to help you,” he concluded.As an attempt to ease the recent escalation of tribal violence, the participants recommended the disarmament of armed people, the establishment of laws that regulate relations between farmers and pastoralists and the settlement of disputes over land resources, the statement read.  Unamid noted this was the first of a series of conferences the Mission’s Civil Affairs section intends to organise in the five states of Darfur to address the causes of tribal clashes in the region and to chart the best ways of promoting social peace.