14 dead in South Darfur fighting between farmers, herders

13/12/2015 20:59

14 people were killed and 29 others were wounded in clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the area of Um Zaeefa, near Bulbul in El Salam locality, South Darfur, on Saturday..
A listener reported to Radio Dabanga that the fighting erupted after Abbala herders drove their livestock onto farms of Misseriya tribesmen in the areas of Ghabsha and Naira, not far from Um Zaeefa.
He said that nine Abbala and five Misseriya were killed, and 29 men from both sides were injured.
The Governor of South Darfur, Adam El Faki, sent a large force of army and police troops, including aircraft, to the area to prevent renewed fighting. Yet, the source said that the situation is still tense, because crowds of militant Abbala and Misseriya are still present in the area.

14 people were killed and 29 others were wounded in clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the area of Um Zaeefa, near Bulbul in El Salam locality, South Darfur, on Saturday..

A listener reported to Radio Dabanga that the fighting erupted after Abbala herders drove their livestock onto farms of Misseriya tribesmen in the areas of Ghabsha and Naira, not far from Um Zaeefa.

He said that nine Abbala and five Misseriya were killed, and 29 men from both sides were injured.

The Governor of South Darfur, Adam El Faki, sent a large force of army and police troops, including aircraft, to the area to prevent renewed fighting. Yet, the source said that the situation is still tense, because crowds of militant Abbala and Misseriya are still present in the area.

Because of the late and less than average rainfall this year, there is less and poorer quality pasture available. As a result, herders increasingly drive their livestock onto cultivated lands. The Famine Early Warning Systems (FEWS Net) reported in September that livestock is also being migrated towards pastures in the south earlier than usual.