Violence surge in Sudan’s Darfur. Sudan is one of the most violence-prone states in Africa. For many years it has been battling to end insurgencies and civil wars but failed. Recently the state has reported unending clashes. Peace has not prevailed in the country since the ousting of former President Omar al-Bashir. Meanwhile, the transitional government, which comprises a power-sharing arrangement between generals and civilian figures, aims to restore peace in the country and end rebel attacks.
Rebel Attack in Darfur
It is not the first time armed militia stage attacks in Darfur. For many years, the region has become a hotspot for terror attacks. In 2003, armed groups ambushed residents in the area, leaving an irreversible impact. About 300000 people had lost their lives, and 2.5 million were displaced on that day. This incident was one of a kind, as it made international headlines for quite some time. The leading cause of the violence was the difference that existed between Arabs and non-Arabs. Such that Arab militia purposed to suppress non-Arab rebels.
Recently, ethnic clashes broke up in Sudan”s Darfur region, leading to at least 83 people dead. The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors reported that these clashes have spiked up since Thursday, and they are likely to inflict more harm if not addressed.
“The death toll from the bloody events taking place in the city of al-Geneina has increased since Saturday morning, ” a local branch of the country’s doctor’s union said in a statement on Twitter.
One hundred sixty people, inclusive of the armed forces, also sustained injuries. The recent attack occurred in the outskirts of Gereida town. Two witnesses stated that an Arab militia had attacked members belonging to the Fallata tribe. This is not the first time Gereida has reported such clashes. In late December last year, a similar incident transpired between the Masalit and Fallata tribes. Although there was no clarity about what might have steered the attack, rumors are a revenge mission by the Masalit tribe. That was after a member of the Masalit from an Arab tribe was assassinated.
On Monday, a doctor’s union in West Darfur stated that the number of casualties had risen, with 129 dead and 198 wounded. Some children were also injured, and some died. Also, thousands had lost their homes and were in urgent need of humanitarian support.
Reactions Concerning the Attacks
UNAMID, a United Nations and African Union organization, formulated in 2007 in Sudan to restore peace, is to be replaced with the National force in Darfur. The Darfuri is a former rebel group who signed a peace agreement in October last year and promised to abstain from violence.
Although the Sudanese government is optimistic the new alliance will combat the insurgencies, residents are worried that UNAMID’s withdrawal will leave civilians more vulnerable to the attacks. While addressing the Darfur insurgency, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his deep concern about the violence in Darfur. He called on Sudan’s government to expend all efforts to de-escalate the situation and bring an end to the fighting, restore law and order, and ensure civilians’ protection in the country.
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