Tribal peace to be sealed in Darfur

More than 250 leaders of the Abbala, Beni Hussein and Mahamed tribes gathered in the Ashibeka area, northeast of the gold mining area of Jebel ‘Amer in North Darfur on Wednesday, in preparation for the signing of the final peace between the tribes on Thursday. The leaders represent the Mudicis, Mahamed, Tabu, Rashid, Mahariya and Abu Jelur clans, and include Sheik Omdas and field commanders (Hakim Dar) from both sides. The document, due to be signed in Kebkabiya on Thursday, is aimed at a complete cessation of hostilities between the tribes. Each will pledge their full commitment to the agreement, the terms of which include peaceful coexistence between the population and herders in the area, opening roads that were closed during the clashes, sharing of water sources, and joint action and mutual assistance in times of crisis. The ratification of the agreement on Thursday will be presided over by the commander of the military garrison, the Comissioner of Kebkabiya locality, and Sheikh Musa Hilal, leader and deputy head of the Mahamed Beni Hussein in addition to all the elders and leaders of both parties in Kabkabiya. The tribes fought violently in 2013 over control of the Jebel ‘Amer gold mine in El Sareif Beni Hussein locality, leaving at least 500 people dead. The UN estimates that more than 100,000 people were displaced. Tensions have repeatedly overflowed into renewed clashes over the months that have followed, with Abbala militants besieging El Sheriff city at one point, and disrupting the flow of supplies. File photo: Tribal leaders at the November 2013 Unamid Civil Affairs Sector South Conference to Address Tribal Conflicts in Darfur in Nyala, South Darfur (Hamid Abdulsalam/Unamid) Related: Military deployed to prevent tribal clashes in western Sudan (26 May 2014) Abbala, Beni Hussein clash in North Darfur (23 April 2014) ‘Historic moment’ as Abbala, Beni Hussein sign treaty in North Darfur: Kibir (25 July 2013)