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Sudan to deploy troops to South Darfur following tribal violence

An internally displaced Sudanese family poses for a photograph outside their makeshift shelter within the Kalma camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Darfur, Sudan April 26, 2019. (Photo by Reuters)

Sudan  has reportedly mobilized large numbers of forces to deploy to South Darfur to restore peace and order in the restive state, following reports of bloody clashes between rival tribes there.

The state news agency SUNA cited South Darfur state's governor as saying that the decision had been made after 15 people were killed in tribal violence that erupted over access to a local water source.

In a meeting between representatives from the state security committee members and the military with local community leaders in the town of Gereida 100 kilometers south of Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, it was decided that troops will be deployed to pursue the perpetrators and collect arms, according to South Darfur governor Mousa Mahdi.

Mahdi also added that a committee would be established to further investigate the violence.

A dispute over a water source between members of the tribes of Masalit and Fallata in Gereida city ended with the killing of two people from the Fallata tribe, SUNA said Sunday, citing two local leaders.

Fallata tribesmen responded to the incident by killing more than a dozen Masalits and wounding dozens of tribal members.

The area has witnessed several bloody clashes between local tribes over the past two years.

The latest violence is the first since they reached a reconciliation in October, it added

One of the main challenges facing military and civilian authorities sharing power after the overthrow of former president Omar al-Bashir has been to restore peace to the conflict-ridden Darfur region.

West Darfur region plunged into chaos after mostly non-Arab rebels rose up against Khartoum in 2003. The ensuing atrocities resulted in 300,000 deaths. Additionally, 2.5 million people were displaced.

Earlier this month, the UN Security Council decided to terminate the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) on December 31, 13 years after its establishment, calling on Sudan's government to assume responsibility of protecting civilians in Darfur.

The move gave rise to concerns among Darfur residents who believe the withdrawal would leave them more vulnerable to violence. 


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