Tawila farmers complain about ‘severe attacks’

Farmers from Tawila and neighbouring villages in North Darfur have complained about their exposure to severe attacks by herders on their farms. In addition, they have complained about the forced entry of livestock before the start of the grazing period. The situation has reportedly caused tension between herders and farmers. A displaced farmer from the area told Radio Dabanga on Friday, 30 November, that farms in villages west of Tawila have all witnessed trespassing of herders. The farmer expressed his disappointment in the use of random violence and arms by herders to forcefully enter their cattle onto the farmlands. Furthermore, farmers claim that despite notifying the police about the incidents, no steps were taken towards solving the issues. The farmers added that they continue to register the incidents with UNAMID, but claim that the Mission ‘only documents the reports, and does not act upon them.’ A farmer added to Radio Dabanga: “we sat down with UNAMID and explained what had happened, and we also sat down with the chief of police in Tawila. But unfortunately to no avail, that is why we ask farmers to speed up the harvesting of crops before it will be destroyed completely.”Radio Dabanga file photo