Youths of Darfur tribes lead reconciliation

The Salamat and Misseriya tribes reached an agreement on Thursday in Umm Dukhun, Central Darfur, to reconcile their differences, based on an initiative led by the youths of both tribes. Yusuf Kursi, the head of the initiative, told Radio Dabanga that the two sides had agreed to open the roads linking Umm Dukhun, Bindisi, Abugaradil, Nyala, Zalingei, and Foro Baranga, as well as to encourage the displaced people to return voluntarily to their areas. However, a report issued by the UN Humanitarian Affairs Agency, has warned of armed tribal clashes between the Misseriya and Salamat, confirming that it has received field reports about mobilisation of armed elements in the areas of Umm Dukhun, Bindisi and Mukjar. The report asserts that that the Misseriya and Salamat are continuing to mobilize and arm their men in different areas of Central Darfur. As previously reported by Radio Dabanga, violence broke out between the tribes in April this year. The UNHCR 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”. Several hundred were killed and injured on both sides. In July, the tribes declared that they had reached a reconciliation agreement following month-long negotiations in Zalingei, brokered by an independent ajaweed commission. File photo: Some refugees displaced by inter-tribal violence in Darfur have settled in Tissi in Eastern Chad (MSF) Related: Misseriya, Salamat ‘reach agreement’ at Zalingei conference in Central Darfur (1 Jult 2013)Warring Central Darfur tribes ‘poised to sign treaty’ (27 June 2013)Sudan allowed its forces to attack civilians in Darfur tribal battles: HRW (3 June 2013)Misseriya and Salamat peace parley begins in Zalingei, Central Darfur (3 June 2013)