On January 16, the U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan confirmed the biggest forced displacement in Darfur in recent years.
Since January 5, the surge of violence between the Rezeigat Abbala and Beni Hussein tribes has killed more than 100 people and forced an estimated 100,000 to flee. First, a dispute over the rich, gold mining area of Jebel Amer in North Darfur led to clashes between the tribes. Additionally, the capital city of Al-Sref Beni Hussein was taken and held under siege by Abbala gunmen. Finally, ongoing fighting between government forces and rebels in the restive Jebel Marra has forced some 30,000 people to flee since late December.
Gold mine sparks renewed violence in Jebel Amer
The Jebel Amer is a gold mining area in the Al-Sireaf locality of North Darfur. The Sudanese Ministry of Minerals has confirmed the existence of 4,000 gold mines in this region, which produce 15 tons of gold per year and attract foreign investments. Recently, a land dispute between members of the Arab tribes of Rezeigat Abbala and Beni Hussein sparked violence in Jebel Amer. The two tribal groups called for support and received backup from communities from across the Darfur region, spreading the conflict to other areas.
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