Rebels accuse Sudan’s govt. of ‘nourishing tribal conflicts in Darfur’

The Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF, an alliance of the main rebel movements) has accused the Sudanese government of nourishing the armed conflicts in Darfur. The SRF, in a statement signed by Chairman Malik Agar on Monday, called for the formation of an independent inquiry committee to investigate the causes of the fighting between Ma’aliya and Rizeigat in Um Rakuba, East Darfur, last week. In the statement, the SRF stressed the need to disarm “the Janjaweed, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the Popular Defence Forces, and all tribal militias in the region”. The rebels also demand compensation for the victims, and others affected by the deadly clashes in Um Rakuba. The SRF warned the Sudanese government that attempting to contain the situation is not enough. “The real root causes of the problems in Darfur and Sudan should be addressed”. “Any non-comprehensive solution will further complicate the situation.” The rebel alliance appealed to the “wise native administrators and civil society organisations” to act and stop the bloodshed. Government delegations A federal delegation of senior officials, accompanied by security and military delegations, arrived in El Daein, capital of East Darfur State, on Monday. The delegations will monitor the latest developments after what has been termed “the massacre of Um Rakuba”, which claimed the lives of hundreds of Ma’aliya and Rizeigat last Wednesday. Dr Farah Mustafa, Minister of Decentralised Governance, who headed the government delegation, announced the deployment of a large number of troops to “minimise the tensions, prevent new clashes, and resolve the insecurity in East Darfur”. File photo: Residents in El Rahad, North Kordofan, welcome a military convoy returning from Abu Karshola, May 2013 (Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters) Related:East Darfur officials hold Sudan govt. responsible for tribal fighting (25 August 2014) Umma Party calls on Darfur’s tribal leaders to ‘stop bloodshed’ (24 August 2014) Forces deployed in East Darfur to curb new tribal clashes (21 August 2014) ‘Hundreds’ die in Ma’aliya, Rizeigat fighting in East Darfur (20 August 2014)