March 22, 2015 (NYALA) – Nine people were killed and twenty five others injured Sunday in clashes between the Salamat and Falata tribes in the locality of Buram in South Darfur state.

A group of women build a shelter in Kalma camp for internally displaced people in South Darfur on 9 March 2014 (Photo: UNAMID/Albert Gonzalez Farran)

MP and agent of the Salamat chief, Musa al-Bashir Musa, told Sudan Tribune that clashes between the two tribes took place following theft of cows in Rajaj area, calling upon the state’s government to immediately act to stop the deadly fighting.

He expected that massive losses take place if the government does not instantly intervene and reaches the conflicting tribes at the battlefield.

Musa said that fighting coincides with the visit of the Sudanese president, Omer Hassan al-Bahsir, to South Darfur state, demanding the governor to assume his responsibility to stop the bloodshed.

He added the perpetrators exploited the government’s preoccupation with the president’s visit and stole the cows to drag the two tribes into the fighting, urging the both sides to listen to the voice of reason and resolve their disputes according to the customs and traditions prevailing in the area.

Musa pointed out that localities of Buram and Tulus are witnessing an administrative vacuum, holding the commissioner of Buram locality responsible for the clashes.

Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that nine people were killed and 25 others injured in the clashes until 10:00 am local time on Sunday, expecting the number to rise if the government does not take the necessary measures to stop the fighting immediately.

They added that the wounded were taken to Tulus hospital while two others in serious condition have been transferred to Nyala hospital.

The same witnesses said that crowds from both tribes have marched towards the battlefield to support their fellow tribesmen, pointing the state’s security committee failed to extend its control over the tribal clashes.

Tribal fighting has intensified during the last two years in Darfur and Kordofan regions in western Sudan leading to thousands of deaths and injuries and forcing over 300,000 people to flee their homes.

More than thirty people were killed and injured in clashes between Berti and Al-Zayadia tribes on Friday in North Darfur state.

(ST)