Habaniya, Rizeigat clash in El Sunta, South Darfur

At least six people were killed and nine others injured on Saturday, in clashes that broke out between Rizeigat and Habaniya tribesmen in El Sunta locality, bordering East Darfur.

Ali El Taher Sharef, deputy-governor of East Darfur, told reporters in the state capital of Ed Daein that clashes erupted after a group of Rizeigat had stolen a number of cows belonging to the Habaniya.

The victims formed a “rescue team” to track the thieves and restore the stolen cattle. Yet, they were shot in an ambush. Four team members were killed and others were wounded. “On their way back with the wounded, the team members shot dead two Rizeigat tribesmen, which triggered the clashes,” Sharef explained.

The deputy-governor said that he mobilised the leaders of the native administration of both tribes, to contain the situation and prevent it from developing into a full-fledged tribal war.

He added that “vigorous efforts are being made by joint forces from South and East Darfur to recover the stolen cattle, and arrest the perpetrators to bring them to justice immediately”.

The deputy native administrator of the Rizeigat, Mahmoud Mousa Madibbo, commented that the clashes are to be considered as an “isolated case”, pointing to strong and peaceful relations between the Rizeigat and the Habaniya.

The native administration departments of both tribes have called for the formation of a special mechanism to capture “any criminal who aims to drive a wedge between the two tribes”.