South Darfur tribal skirmishes claim more casualties

Tensions remain high in Buram locality in South Darfur, as sporadic clashes continue between Habbaniya and Salamat tribesmen. On Wednesday morning, tribesmen exchanged fire for three hours in a series of skirmishes that reportedly left dead and wounded on both sides.

The two sides have exchanged accusations about the attack; Habbaniya accused Salamat of attacking their areas yesterday morning at Um Karadis, El Sakhala, and El Tays west of Buram, which led to several wounded who were taken to Buram hospital.

The Salamat then accused Habbaniya of an attack on their areas of El Sakhala and El Tays yesterday morning which also led to several wounded.

Conflicting casualty figures

Estimates of exact casualties in the latest outbreak of violence – that began at the end of last month with disputes over cattle theft – have been conflicting, ranging between 50 and 60 dead and wounded.

The violence was sparked when at least 11 people were killed and 17 others wounded in a gunfight between cattle thieves and a search party at El Nadeef, not far from the town of Buram on April 30.

Buffer troops

Sudanese regular troops have been deployed to the area to form a buffer between the two sides. As reported by Radio Dabanga yesterday, The acting Deputy Governor of South Darfur, Ahmed Sabeel announced in statements to the press the formation of a committee headed by the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Council and a number of heads of native administrations that will arrive to the area to calm the situation and act to address the problem between the parties.