‘Misseriya militia’ release Salamat hostages in Central Darfur

03/05/2013 22:07

The seven Salamat tribesmen who were held captive for five days in Umm Dukhun, Central Darfur, have all been released; a tribal source told Radio Dabanga.The spokesman said that a multi-tribal reconciliation committee in Umm Dukhun locality succeeded in negotiating the release of all seven hostages.The militiamen initially demanded a ransom, but after three hours of negotiation the committee was able to persuade the militants to forgo this.The released hostages will now be placed under protective custody in the house of the Umm Dukhun locality’s commissioner.The men were taken hostage when Misseriya militiamen attacked the home of Salamat deputy Haj Osman Mohamed Adam Al Dwaid last Monday. The deputy himself was also kidnapped but released one day later on Tuesday.Two Misseriya tribesmen were injured in an exchange of fire with the deputy’s security aide and a policeman was killed in a first attack at the deputy’s house.In a second attack on Monday, two Salamat were killed, two Misseriya were injured and the eight men were abducted. The men released today are: Mohamed Haj Osman Al Dwaid (son of the deputy who was himself also kidnapped on Monday but released on Tuesday);Abdelkarim Abdel Shakoor (nephew of the deputy);Omda Al Tahir Bahr (native administrator of Abugaradil area);Omda Al Tijani Mohamed Adam (native administrator of Mugad area);Abubakar Mohamed Al Helo (NCP political authority in Umm Dukhun locality);Amin Abdul Rahman Yunus.The eighth, unidentified, released man was a guest of the Salamat deputy.Tensions in Umm Dukhun erupted on 3 April when a Misseriya tribesman allegedly tried looting and opening fire on a Salamat man, who was not hurt. Violent hostilities broke out the next day when 4,000 men of both sides began battling each other. In the meantime, fighting has spread north and to South Darfur. UNHCR says 50,000 have sought refuge in neighboring Chad as a result of the clashes.File photo by Albert González Farran/ UNAMIDRelated: Salamat tribesmen held captive in Darfur for 4 days (1 May 2013)

The seven Salamat tribesmen who were held captive for five days in Umm Dukhun, Central Darfur, have all been released; a tribal source told Radio Dabanga.

The spokesman said that a multi-tribal reconciliation committee in Umm Dukhun locality succeeded in negotiating the release of all seven hostages.

The militiamen initially demanded a ransom, but after three hours of negotiation the committee was able to persuade the militants to forgo this.

The released hostages will now be placed under protective custody in the house of the Umm Dukhun locality’s commissioner.

The men were taken hostage when Misseriya militiamen attacked the home of Salamat deputy Haj Osman Mohamed Adam Al Dwaid last Monday. The deputy himself was also kidnapped but released one day later on Tuesday.

Two Misseriya tribesmen were injured in an exchange of fire with the deputy’s security aide and a policeman was killed in a first attack at the deputy’s house.

In a second attack on Monday, two Salamat were killed, two Misseriya were injured and the eight men were abducted.

The men released today are:

  • Mohamed Haj Osman Al Dwaid (son of the deputy who was himself also kidnapped on Monday but released on Tuesday);
  • Abdelkarim Abdel Shakoor (nephew of the deputy);
  • Omda Al Tahir Bahr (native administrator of Abugaradil area);
  • Omda Al Tijani Mohamed Adam (native administrator of Mugad area);
  • Abubakar Mohamed Al Helo (NCP political authority in Umm Dukhun locality);
  • Amin Abdul Rahman Yunus.

The eighth, unidentified, released man was a guest of the Salamat deputy.

Tensions in Umm Dukhun erupted on 3 April when a Misseriya tribesman allegedly tried looting and opening fire on a Salamat man, who was not hurt.

Violent hostilities broke out the next day when 4,000 men of both sides began battling each other. In the meantime, fighting has spread north and to South Darfur.

UNHCR says 50,000 have sought refuge in neighboring Chad as a result of the clashes.

File photo by Albert González Farran/ UNAMID

Related: Salamat tribesmen held captive in Darfur for 4 days (1 May 2013)