‘Militia attacks continue’: Darfur farmers

Farmers in East Jebel Marra reported that they have been under attack from militias, for four consecutive weeks.

Militiamen – reportedly, from the Abbala tribe – assaulted a number of farmers in the Kadarik and Um Laota, areas north of Tabit in North Darfur, on Monday. They shot Ibrahim Hamid Adam in his chest and legs, and he was transferred to a hospital for treatment.

The men beat the rest of the farmers with rifle butts and whips, a victim reported. They beat 25 women and seven of them were seriously injured, he said.

Some of the victims have reported the incident to the local army commander. He replied that he has no authority or orders to prosecute militiamen.

The Abbala (camel herders) of the large Rizeigat tribe, live in northern Darfur and Chad, while their brethren, the Baggara (cattle herders) inhabit south-east Darfur. The last two months, farmers in North and South Darfur have been complaining about attacks by Abbala tribesmen and the destruction of their farms by the herders’ livestock. The late and below average rainfall, is causing poorer quality pasture, which is one of the causes for herders to drive their cattle onto cultivated lands.

Eight assaults on farmers in which armed herders were involved (mostly in North Darfur state), were reported to Radio Dabanga so far this month. In October, ten cases were reported, as opposed to two reported cases in September.