Khartoum: – More than 160 people were killed, and more than a hundred others were injured in the ethnic clashes in the West Darfur province of Sudan. Local sources informed that violence was sparked in the Kreinik region of West Darfur. It is revealed that thousands had to migrate because of the fresh violence. It is being claimed that Arab Janjaweed groups have a hand in this violence. This is the second instance of ethnic conflict on a large scale in the last four months.
A major ethnic conflict was sparked after an incident in Kreinik the previous week. Unknown assailants killed two people in Kreinik. Thereafter, the rebel groups intruded into villages in Kreinik and started arson and massacres. The violence continued for more than 24 hours. The Masalit people of African origin were mainly targeted in the violence. A minimum of 168 people were killed, and more than 100 were injured. Many are critically wounded, and hence fears are being expressed that the number of casualties may increase.
An increase in violent incidents has been observed in the Darfur province over the last two years. It is claimed that the ethnic clashes and violence show a pattern similar to the conflicts in 2003. In 2003, a major conflict was sparked between the local Africans and Arabic people over agriculture, water and land. At that time, the country was ruled by dictator Omar Bashir. Bashir had supported the Arab groups and had started massacres of the local Africans. The military overthrew the Bashir government in 2020 and took the country’s reins into its hands.
To stop the violence in Darfur, the United Nations deployed a peacekeeping force in 2007. But it had hardly any effect on the violence. The violence continued for nearly 15 years. More than 300,000 people have been killed in the conflicts, and more than 2.5 million migrated. The term of the UN peacekeeping force expired at the end of 2020, and the Sudanese army has replaced the force. But the military seems to have failed in maintaining peace in Darfur.
Hand of the Arab Janjaweed group in the fresh violence are warning bells for the military regime in Sudan. It is believed that Arab Janjaweed groups enjoy the support of some countries. Therefore, analysts are expressing a concern that these groups and the violence perpetrated by them can be a reason for creating instability in Sudan.
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