East Darfur has been home to violent tribal clashes, but traditional conflict-resolution mechanisms are having an impact on peaceful coexistence in one of Darfur’s newest states.

By Albert González Faran

In El Daein, the capital of the new state of East Darfur, there are more than 30 different tribes living together in close proximity. During the past several years, clashes between these groups over the control of land and other natural resources have led to violence. In one such episode in 2012, fighting between the Rezeigat and Misseriya ethnic groups resulted in several dead. While tribal relations in East Darfur and its capital city have sometimes been tense, civic leaders have been relying on age-old methods of dialogue to resolve their differences.

Although these methods don’t always work, they are widely perceived to be critical tools to make coexistence possible in East Darfur. Coupled with the progress in intertribal negotiations is a renewed sense of the strength of ethnic diversity in the area. “Living together gives us more security against any criminal action,” says Mr. Mohamed Ibrahim, the leader of the Rezeigat tribe in El Daein. “Our unity benefits development and our relationship favours all economic activities.”

The Rezeigat tribe, which is both ethnically Arab and nomadic, is one of the largest groups in South and East Darfur. The Rezeigat people own most of the land in the area. Historically, the Rezeigat have been pastoralists, tending camels and horses, and have had close relationships with other tribes and communities. “We have always been like this,” says Mr. Ibrahim. Currently, the Rezeigat lends land to two large displaced communities in El Daein: the South Sudanese Dinka who occupy the Khor Omer camp for displaced people, and more than 20 different tribes who are living together in the Al Neem camp, which is the temporary home of some 45,000 displaced.

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Read the full story in the January issue of Voices of Darfur. Download the magazine (PDF) here.

On 3 December 2012, members of the Rezeigat tribe in El Daein, East Darfur, perform traditional dances and songs. Photo by Albert González Farran.