UN: More than 100 killed in Darfur clashes since March

Clashes between rival Arab tribes have claimed 107 lives since March in Darfur, the United Nations peacekeeping mission (Unamid) in Sudan said, warning of a build-up of government and rebel troops in the region.

“The security situation in North Darfur is tense following reports of an increase in the presence of government troops and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) forces in the Shangil Tobaya region,” Unamid said in a statement late on Tuesday.

Unamid, the joint UN-African Union peacekeeping force, said fighting between the Misseriya and Rizeigat Nawaiba tribes broke out in early March near Nertiti in West Darfur and calmed briefly after a peace accord was signed on March 28.

But fighting resumed on May 4, it said, adding: “It is estimated that since March, the clashes have claimed the lives of 107 people on both sides and have caused many more to flee their homes.”

According to the United Nations, 300 000 people have died and more than 2,2-million have fled their homes since rebels in Darfur rose up against the Khartoum government, which was aided by local Arab militias, in February 2003.

The Sudan government puts the death toll at 10 000.—Sapa-AFP