Sudanese Armed Forces and Local Militias jointly attack a Fur Village in North Darfur

Contact: Osman Hummaida, Executive Director
Phone: +44 7956095738
E-mail: osman@acjps.org

(3 September 2010) On 2 September at 11 AM, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) andlocal militias jointly attacked Tabra, a Fur village in North Darfur. Fifty eight people were killed, and eighty six injured. Survivors of the attack reported seeing members of the SAF in uniform, and identified the local forces as Arab tribal militias. Tabra is about 80 km outside of El Fashir, capital of North Darfur. Though UNAMID has a presence in Tawilla area, 25 km away, they were unable to protect and defend Tabra.

During the rainy season, much of the community in Tabra can only farm in the immediate areas outside of the village, despite much of the territory being insecure. Though the reasons for the joint attack were unclear and not precipitated by any action, the attack likely was an attempt on the Government’s part to destroy perceived support (both financial and through the donation of crops) to the Sudan Liberation Army – Abdul Wahid Al-Nur (SLA/AW), and for the local militias to gain land.

The 86 injured Darfuris were taken to a small clinic in Tawilla area despite the facility not having the capacity to treat the severity of injuries from the attacks and so many people. Urgent assistance is needed to ensure that the survivors of the attack receive full medical treatment and care.

The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies believes that these acts may constitute war crimes and calls on relevant UN representatives to initiate a full and thorough investigation, with both the local militiaand SAF perpetrators held accountable. Immunities under the Sudan Armed Forces Act of 2007 preclude members of the SAF being tried for criminal responsibility for acts committed while in service, but the legislation does incorporate international humanitarian law principles under Article 153 (1). Under Article 153(2), language parallel to the internationally recognised definition of war crimes criminalises acts “within the framework of a methodical direct and widespread attack, directed against civilians”. These acts are punishable when tried by a military court. 

Concurrently, the international community should do more to ensure that civilians are protected, including ensuring full logistical and political support for UNAMID and pushing it to take robust action when civilians are under imminent threat of violence. UNAMID has increasingly come under attack from IDPs for their inability to protect IDP populations in the recent clashes in Kalma and Almahidia camps. Allegedly, UNAMID has made the decision to hand over 6 IDPs accused by local authorities of inciting the violence, when the peacekeeping mission initially sheltered them over concerns of due process and to prevent increased SLA/AW  militarisation in South Darfur. The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies calls on UNAMID to fulfill its responsibility to protect civilians, and take measures to instill confidence amongst Darfuris that they will be protected against armed attacks.