The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan welcomed the signs of progress following reconciliation meetings between the Arab Abbala and Beni Hussein tribes brokered by state authorities last week in Saraf Omra, North Darfur.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we are ready to continue providing assistance to people affected by the recent conflict, the priority must be to prevent further fighting and to promote reconciliation between the two tribes\u201d, Mr. Ali Al Zatari was quoted in a press statement on 6 March.<\/p>\n
He confirmed earlier claims by the commissioner of Al-Sareif Beni Hussein locality to Radio Dabanga that roads have been reopened for the first time since 21 February, \u201cenabling food, commerce and urgently needed supplies to reach the area\u201d.<\/p>\n
Most of the vital roads in the war-affected region had been closed since clashes between the tribes over control of a gold mine of Jebel \u2018Amer broke out on 5 January. This prevented thousands of displaced from receiving aid for weeks.<\/p>\n
Over 100.000 people fled their homes only in connection with the first wave of tribal fighting, the UN said, claiming this was the largest forced displacement in Darfur in years.<\/p>\n
The second wave of tribal clashes erupted on 21 February and witnesses from West, Central and South Darfur told Radio Dabanga they saw large groups of border guards and Abbala militants heading towards Al-Sareif Beni Hussein city.<\/p>\n
UN agencies, protected by UNAMID armed escorts, claim to have delivered \u201cover 700 metric tons of assistance to people displaced\u201d to Al-Sareif, Garrat Az Zawia, Saraf Omra, Kabkabiya and other locations in North Darfur, the statement reads. <\/p>\n
In addition, \u201cUNAMID is currently in the process of establishing a temporary operating base in [Al-Sareif city] to assist local authorities in ensuring the protection of civilians and delivery of humanitarian assistance with ease and speed\u201d. <\/p>\n
A Sudanese lawmaker announced recently that 510 people were killed, 865 people were wounded, 15 women were raped, 68 villages were completely burnt down and 120 others were set ablaze since the beginning of the hostilities. <\/p>\n
On Tuesday, two leaders of the Abbala tribe called for the end of hostilities and blamed the Sudanese government for the clashes, claiming Khartoum wants to have control of the mine for its own gains. <\/p>\n
Photo: Displaced by tribal clashes in North Darfur (Sojoud El Garrai, UNAMID)<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Related: <\/span><\/span><\/em>Abbala tribe leaders call to end N. Darfur clashes<\/a> (6 March 2013)<\/p>\n