Casualties as Abbala gold miners clash in Jebel ‘Amer, North Darfur

Internal clashes between gunmen of the Abbala tribe in the gold mining area of Jebel ‘Amer, Al Sareif Beni Hussein locality, North Darfur, have resulted in at least 10 casualties. A source who fled from the area reported to Radio Dabanga that a dispute broke out about gold wells between members of the Abbala tribe around 5pm on Monday, leading to clashes. The source witnessed four men killed and six injured. He added that many of the prospectors at Jebel ‘Amer were able to escape by car to the city of Saraf Omra. According to the source, prospectors in the area number more than 15,000.The Abbala and Beni Hussein tribes fought violently earlier this year over control of the Jebel ‘Amer gold mine in Al Sareif Beni Hussein locality, leaving about 500 people dead. The UN estimates that more than 100,000 were displaced.The violence ended with a treaty signed following a reconciliation conference between the omdas from the tribes and a tribal mediation committee in the state capital, El Fasher, at the end of July. One of the terms of the treaty is that control of the Jebel ‘Amer gold mining area will pass to the government. File photo Radio Dabanga Related:‘Gold tax to recompense 839 Abbala-Beni Hussein dead’: North Darfur Minister (22 August 2013)Pro-government militia kill a gold miner in N Darfur (20 August 2013) Report: North Darfur gold mine conflicts not inter-tribal; Sudan regime behind them (14 May 2013)