Abbala herdsmen attack farmers in Tawila, North Darfur

Abbala herders have been attacking farmers in Tawila locality, North Darfur, for three consecutive days.

Several farmers reported to Radio Dabanga from the area of Nemra (traditionally considered part of East Jebel Marra) that the herders began driving their livestock onto their farms on Monday.

“For three days, they have beaten and expelled farmers from their lands in the areas of Abu Zeid, Masalit, Dali, Dubbo El Omda, Dubbo El Madrasa, Burra, Barkandi, Angar Ronga, Nemra, and Katur,” they said.

Vast tracts of millet, sorghum, sesame, fava beans, and melons were damaged.

The farmers reported the attacks to the commissioner of Tawila locality, and the authorities in El Fasher, North Darfur, to no avail.

This week, Abbala launched widespread attacks too on farms in North Darfur´s Kutum locality. their livestock, released onto the farmlands destroyed most of the crops. Ten days ago, another group of Abbala entered their camels and cattle onto farmlands near Nyala, capital of South Darfur.

Herders from other tribes also began entering their livestock onto farmlands in other parts of Darfur lately.

Poor pastures, poor crops

In its Food Security Outlook Update for September, the Famine Early Warning Systems (FEWS Net) warned for the possibility of conflicts erupting between herders and farmers.

Below-average rainfall this year resulted in bad pasture conditions, as well as delayed planting and poor crop growth in many Sudanese regions. An increased risk of crop failures and low production surpluses are expected for the delayed harvest at the end of this year.

Herders migration usually takes place in December and January, with livestock arriving during or just after this harvest period. As crops are now in an earlier stage of development, there is a higher risk of crops being accidentally destroyed or consumed by livestock, FEWS Net stated.