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Sudan intensifies forces in East Darfur state to tackle tribal violence

Xinhua, July 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Sudanese government on Monday sent additional military and police reinforcements to East Darfur state which has recently witnessed a wave of tribal violence.

"The military reinforcements of about 1,800 soldiers have been sent to East Darfur State to contribute to imposing security and preventing tribal clashes which the state is suffering from," East Darfur State Governor Anas Omer said in a statement Monday.

"The joint force does not represent the local component of the area, which qualifies it to be neutral if a tribal clash arises," he noted.

He further explained that the forces which arrived in the state were fully equipped to deal with the events, noting that the task of these forces would not be confined to tribal conflicts only.

They would also supervise the process of securing the agricultural season and the routes of the herdsmen in addition to protecting the national road linking the state and the Sudanese capital Khartoum, the governor said.

Last May dozens of people were killed and others injured when violent clashes erupted between the Rezeigat and Ma'alia tribes in Sudan's East Darfur State.

The conflict between Rezeigat and the Ma'alia dates back to 1966 due to land disputes. The conflict has later turned more violent after oil was found in the disputed areas.

Similar clashes between the two tribes took place in July 2014 which left over 600 persons dead and about 900 injured on both sides, while more than 55,000 others were displaced due to the fighting. Endit