East Darfur tensions: Six killed, Governor’s house torched

The house of the Governor of East Darfur was torched in an attack by gunmen, which reportedly killed two civilians and four members of the security service on Sunday evening. The attack follows the killing of a number of tribesmen in clashes in Yassin locality.

Thirteen people are believed to have been killed in clashes between armed members of the Rizeigat and Ma’aliya tribes in Khor Taan area on Sunday. One tribal leader, Kharif, was killed, while leader Savannah sustained serious injuries.

Witnesses in Ed Daein, the state capital, told Radio Dabanga that the attack on Governor Anas Omer’s house followed an accusation by tribesmen that Omer and the security service are responsible for Sunday’s events.

“The situation is serious,” a witness in the city said. Video footage (below) shows the flames rising from the Governor’s house and by-standers fleeing after hearing the sounds of gunfire. He said that two civilians and four security agents were killed.

“Attack has nothing to do with the clash in Khor Taan.”

Governor Omer has described the situation in Ed Daein as “being controlled” after the killings, and the burning of his house and one vehicle.

On Monday, he said that the reasons for the incident go back to a clash between Rizeigat and a Ma’aliya rescue team, and is unrelated to the bloody clash on Sunday. Omar spoke from El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, where he attended a workshop about disarmament.

Meanwhile locals said that the situation has remained tense in East Darfur as both tribes have accused each other of launching the clash. Rizeigat and Ma’aliya youth groups have also exchanged accusations against each other.

The Rizeigat youth accused the state government and the security forces of involvement in the clash in Khor Taan, and demanded from the Governor to take the culprits to trial.