Gimr and Beni Halba tribes sign ceasefire in South Darfur

Two tribes that fought violently in South Darfur last month signed a ceasefire agreement at the house of the local commissioner last Saturday. Dispute over land ownership between the Beni Halba and Gimr tribes left eight killed (four from each side) and four wounded. In addition, six villages were burned in the area of Edd Al Fursan, where the battles occurred. According to the agreement, the Gimr must pay blood money to the Beni Halba for the four losses it suffered by 30 March. The Gimr were also to pay the four victims’ funeral costs no later than 48 hours after the treaty was signed. Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a source disclosed the signing ceremony took place in the presence of the governor of South Darfur Hammad Ismail Hammad and under the auspices of the locality’s “committee for goodwill”. Both parties agreed to “put an end to tribal gatherings, escalations of incidents and all forms of violence”. A reconciliation conference will then be held in April, the source said. The agreement was signed by two omdas representing the Beni Halba, Hilal Adam Adam and Hamid Ahmed Braimat, and five omdas representing the Gimr.Photo: Fanga Suk, Sudan (Olivier Chassot/ UN)Related: S. Darfur ‘violent’ tribal clashes: 12 killed and injured, 6 villages burnt -sources (4 March 2013 -update)