DRA to mediate in East Darfur tribal conflict

The Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) has formed a mediation committee on Tuesday, assigned to reconcile the warring Rizeigat and Ma’aliya tribes in East Darfur. Ahmed Fadul, the State Minister of the DRA Cabinet told Radio Dabanga that the chairman of the DRA, Dr El Tijani Sese formed a committee of prominent Darfur authorities to mediate in the East Darfur conflict between the Rizeigat and Ma’aliya. He called on the warring parties to “cease hostilities and be patient”. On 20 August, hundreds of Ma’aliya and Rizeigat were killed and injured in deadly clashes between the two tribes in the area of Um Rakuba in Abu Karinka, East Darfur. Several sources claim that government forces participated in the fighting. The clashes were triggered by the theft of “a camel, a horse, and two donkeys” four days before, leading to a clash in which at least 47 tribesmen were killed. File photo: DRA chairman, and leader of the Libaration and Justice Movement, Dr El Tijani Sese  Related:Rebels accuse Sudan’s govt. of ‘nourishing tribal conflicts in Darfur’ (26 August 2014) East Darfur officials hold Sudan govt. responsible for tribal fighting (25 August 2014) Forces deployed in East Darfur to curb new tribal clashes (21 August 2014) ‘Hundreds’ die in Ma’aliya, Rizeigat fighting in East Darfur (20 August 2014)