Tribal clashes resume in Central Darfur, at least 10 killed

Hostilities between two tribes in Central Darfur erupted again on Thursday following an apparent successful mediation that seemed to prevent 4,000 gunmen from battling each other just hours before. Umm Dukhun’s residents told Radio Dabanga tensions began to rise in the town on Wednesday morning after a member of the Misseriya tribe tried looting and opening fire on a Salamat man, who was not hurt. A mediation committee, formed by members of local communities and five representatives of each of the rival tribes, was formed on the same day. On Thursday leaders of both Misseriya and Salamat announced they reached a consensus and confirmed that armed fighters had begun departing the town. Nevertheless, Radio Dabanga received reports that clashes resumed at 3:00am on Friday in Umm Dukhun and it was still on-going later that night amid conflicting reports about the number of casualties. Multiple witnesses said that seven members of the Salamat tribe were killed, one was wounded and eight were captured, while the Misseriya lost two men. However, Youssef Ishaq Al Nour, Misseriya omda and head of the Shura of 36 tribes in the locality, said that three people were killed in battles inside Umm Dukhun town: two Salamat and one Misseriya. Al Nour noted that the mediation committee, of which he is part, was engaged until late on Friday to contain the problem and prevent fighting from escalating even further. Besides confirming the occurrence of clashes between Thursday and Friday, local sources reported seeing “a continuous flow of military build-up with gunmen of both sides arriving from different directions”. They said the battles took place in the nearby areas of Marary, Ubale Tibi and in Umm Dudjo, adding its residents began crossing over the Chadian border. Shops in Umm Dukhun have been closed since the start of the tensions on Wednesday, and roads in the area have been blocked since. Citizens are staying indoors and there is virtually no life in the town, sources said. Until Friday evening, Umm Dukhun’s residents said that authorities had not yet visited the town or tried to contain the problem.Map: Umm Dukhun, Central Darfur (OCHA- cropped)Related: Mediators contain threat, disperse 4,000 gunmen in Darfur (4 April 2013)