Warring tribes ‘swear to halt violence’ in Central Darfur

The clashes between Misseriya and Salamat tribesmen that have raged for more than a week and left more than 100 dead and dozens more wounded in Central Darfur have reportedly subsided as the omdas of the tribes reached an accord. According to reports reaching Radio Dabanga from Wadi Saleh locality, the clashes came to an end on Tuesday afternoon when contingents of border guards were moved in to separate the warring parties. Ajaweed facilitators from different tribes who travelled from state capital Zalingei, El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, and El Geneina, capital of West Darfur, went to the field to mediate between the fighters on Monday. On Tuesday, a delegation of 14 of the field commanders from each tribe met “under a tree in Wadi Salih”, Misseriya omda of Wadi Salh locality, Omar Osman Jabora, told Radio Dabanga from Garsila. “In the presence of a delegation from the locality’s Commissioner, they swore their commitment to peace, reconciliation and non-aggression,” Jabora confirmed. He appealed to both sides “to renounce differences, listen to the voice of reason and work diligently and faithfully to implement the Zalingei peace and reconciliation agreement”. Omda Jabora was referring to the agreement reached at an Ajaweed conference in Zalingei at the beginning of July, aimed at breaking a cycle of violence that broke out following a dispute between the tribes in Umm Dukhun in April. That violence left hundreds dead and wounded on each side, and – according to UN estimates – caused 50,000 people to seek refuge in neighbouring Chad. As reported previously by Radio Dabanga, the latest violence was sparked when, according to witnesses, the Salamat merchant was killed – allegedly by Misseriya tribesmen – in his shop at Garsila market on 22 July. Sources from the area have voiced their apprehension about the omdas’ fragile new accord, saying that the armed groups have not withdrawn, and they fear “renewed clashes at any moment”. The violence has disrupted trade, transport, and all aspects of normal civilian life for the past seven days, but witnesses said that some routes were re-opened on Tuesday. “The Bundisi-Mukjar road is open, but all other main roads are still closed. The markets of Bundisi, Mukjar and Deleig opened their doors again on Tuesday,” a source told Radio Dabanga, “however the Garsila market remained closed.” WFP Militia activity and the inter-tribal violence of the last week also impacted on the humanitarian work of NGOs in the area. Speaking to Radio Dabanga from Khartoum, a spokesperson for the UN World Food Programme (WFP), Amor Almagro, said that 32,000 people in Garsila rely on aid from the WFP, however “distribution was disrupted for 13 days due to ongoing fighting”.Almagro explained that the distribution of the monthly food ration in Garsila was scheduled from 8-12 July, but could only be completed on 25 July. School looted In a related incident, “border guards” brought to Garsila to secure the city from invasion by tribesmen reportedly “looted the entire contents” of the city’s High School for Boys before leaving on Tuesday. Teachers told Radio Dabanga that “the border guards loaded all computers, cupboards, chairs, books and school supplies onto their vehicles, before leaving for Zalingei at the end of their mission”. A dejected teacher said that the men “tore and burned any books or pamphlets they could not carry”. File photo by Albert González Farran/Unamid Related: Tribal violence ‘claims dozens more lives’ in Central Darfur (29 July 2013)Sudanese army guard Garsila market as ‘Misseriya gather for assault’: Witnesses (28 July 2013)Tribal clashes claim 10 more lives in Central Darfur (26 July 2013)‘At least 100 dead, dozens injured’ as Salamat and Misseriya clash again in Central Darfur (11 June 2013)