West Darfur arrests tribesmen, restricts clans

More than a dozen tribesmen were arrested for their alleged involvement in igniting conflict among local tribal clans in West Darfur over the last two days.

Abdullah Mustafa, the spokesman for the West Darfur government, announced the arrests and imprisonment of the thirteen tribesmen yesterday.

Mustafa pointed out that the state government issued a decision that stipulates the dismantling of all gatherings by tribesmen. Also groups of tribesmen that set-out to track down stolen livestock or members of other clans need permission from the authorities to do so.

He added that all the decisions included relieving one of the native administration Omdas, as he is accused of being involved in the armed conflicts.

Last week leaders of the Arab and Zaghawa tribes signed a reconciliation accord in El Geneina, capital of West Darfur. Clan members of the two border tribes, whose homeland lies in Keirai area in Chad’s Wadi Fera state, clashed in West Darfur on 1 November.