Sudan’s army to deter tribal clashes in Central Darfur

Mukjar, Um Dukhun, and Bindisi localities in Central Darfur are witnessing a cautious calm, after army troops entered on Monday to prevent the occurrence of renewed fighting between Salamat and Misseriya tribesmen. Radio Dabanga received information that the Central Darfur State authorities have launched a campaign of arrests among the leaders of the warring tribes, in the wake of the eruption of clashes that started between the Misseriya and Salamat on Thursday, and caused the killing and wounding of more than 130 people. The spokesman for the Salamat, Abdallah Mohamed Hamed Ajib, and the young Misseriya leaders Abdallah Mohamed Hussein and Hamad El Daway, were arrested, in addition to other leaders whose names have not been revealed yet. The Governor of Central Darfur state, Jaafar Abdel Hakam, removed Amir Mohamed Bashir Mousa from his position as leader of the Salamat, as well as two Misseriya leaders, Amir Abdel Karim and Amir Yagoub Mohamed Ali. Army troops arrived on Monday to Mukjar, Um Dukhun, and Bindisi localities. They have strict instructions to shoot anyone among the warring tribes “who is misbehaving”. The Central Darfuri Youth Organisation for Freedom and Democracy called on the Salamat and Misseriya to stop fighting and listen to the voice of reason. They had organised a sit-in in Central Darfur’s capital of Zalingei on Sunday denouncing the tribal clashes, and criticising the inertia of the Governor. They had handed a memorandum to Abdel Hakam, demanding the immediate intervention of the authorities. File photo: A Sudanese army soldier on patrol Related:More than 100 dead and wounded in Central Darfur tribal strife (22 June 2014) Renewed tribal clashes cause chaos in Central Darfur (20 July 2014) New ‘explosive’ Salamat-Misseriya tension in Central Darfur (16 June 2014) Central Darfur town ‘a battlefield’ as Misseriya, Salamat clash (19 February 2014)