No.: H.K/PS/36/023 Date: 27th November 2023
PRESS STATEMENT
THE RE-OCCURRENCE OF TRIBAL CONFLICT IN GADEIR LOCALITY, SUDAN
The conflict between Hawazma and other tribes in Gadeir locality flared up again in November-2023. This happened during the nomadic (Hawazma’s) seasonal movements in search for asture and water. Many people were killed and others injured but the authorities did not intervene.
On 31st October 2023, a group of Hawazma nomads in their seasonal journey from north to south through the established western path, shot at two civilians on a motorbike. As a result, one died and the other one survived and fled back to his nearby village of Umdehaileeb. Thereafter, the residents of Umdehaileeb formed an armed rescue group/team that confronted the armed nomads and forced them to go back to Abu-Jibaiha.
On 1st November 2023, the nomads equipped themselves with better weapons, moved on motorbikes and with more fighters. However, this time they used the eastern path which was already objected to by the residents, community leaders and the security committee in South Kordufan state. The security committee was informed because the route passes through cultivation areas (farms) and it will trigger the conflict between the nomads and farmers (cultivators). The nomads were obstructed by residents of Kologi at Haboob area which resulted in fights and ten (10) people were killed and eighteen (18) got injured especially the Kologi residents while seven (7) nomads were killed and six (6) others were injured. The nomads also burnt down villages of Um-Hassaan and Haboob.
On 2nd November 2023, the nomads attacked two villages (Al-Rejaila and Al-Lemonaya villages). As a result, twelve (12) people were killed and twenty-two (22) were injured including children and females.
Most of the injured people of Kologi were treated from Kologi hospital while the injured people from Hawazma tribe were treated from Abu-Jibaiha hospital and some from both conflict sides were received by Talodi hospital.
Gadier locality is in South Kordufan State/ Nuba Mountains. Kologi is the main town of Gadeir locality.
The mentioned villages are in Gadeir locality and their locations as: Umdehaileeb, Haboob, Um-Hassaan are north Kologi town on the way towards Abu-Jibaiha town (the capital of the neighbouring locality of Abu-Jibaiha); Al-Rejaila and Al-Lemonaya villages are west Kologi town.
The nomads are mainly from Hawazma tribe and they tend to move towards north at the start of the rainy season (June) and after the rainy season (November) they move back to the south through the agreed path called Murhal in order to avoid conflicts between nomads and farmers.
Most of the residents of Gadeir locality are of Kawahla, lougan and other tribes, they are generally cultivators.
The conflict started in the year 2020 between Hawazma and Kenana tribes in Abu-Jibaiha locality. The conflict extend to Gadeir locality and includes more tribes (Kawahla, Lougan and other tribes) against Hawazma. Hawazma tribe is regularly empowered and equipped with advance weapons by Rapid Support Force (RSF).
HUDO Centre is concerned about the safety of civilians in Sudan during this difficult period of fighting between SAF and RSF and calls for the followings:
The security committee in Gadeir locality and at the state level to take the needed measures.
Police in South Kordufan state/ Nuba Mountains to execute their duty responsibly.
South Kordufan state/ Nuba Mountains governor to establish an investigations committee that
can investigate what had happened and take necessary measures.
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