29 October 2009 -- Following recent clashes between the Zaghawa and Birgid tribes around Shangil Tobaya, a team led by UNAMID Deputy Sector North Commander, accompanied by UN Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS) UNAMID Police, Civil Affairs, Human Rights, Humanitarian Affairs, UNICEF and OCHA officials visited the village yesterday.

The aim of the visit was to mediate between the two tribes and assess the humanitarian situation in the affected areas. The team interacted with the Umdahs and tribal leaders of the Zaghawa and Birgid tribes who expressed their regret over the clashes and stressed on the need to enforce security in the affected areas to enable the displaced locals return to their homes.

The team then visited Tabilang and Umdulsai villages, about 2 km from MANGA (the border line between North and South Darfur) where a large number of IDPs took refuge. The team was informed by the locals that about 20 persons were killed, including six children and five women, while 35 were injured, all from the Birgid Tribe. The casualty on the Zaghawas side was not ascertained. It was also assessed that the displaced locals were in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile, GoS has deployed troops in the area.

* * * *