Darfur Region Governor al-Hadi Idris Yahya has appealed to the Beni Halba and Salamat tribes to halt fighting and restore calm after deadly clashes in their areas.
In a statement issued from Nyala on June 2, Idris, who is also a member of the Presidential Council, said the recent violence had claimed lives, spread fear among civilians and threatened the social peace that has long underpinned coexistence among Darfur’s communities.
“The ties between the Beni Halba and Salamat are far greater than the disputes that divide them,” Idris said, citing shared religion, neighbourhood, common interests and a long history of coexistence and tolerance.
He warned that continued fighting would bring only more grief, widows and orphans, adding that no side would achieve victory through violence and that all communities would ultimately lose.
Idris called on tribal leaders, youth, elders, dignitaries and community figures from both sides to shoulder their historical and moral responsibilities by immediately stopping hostilities, silencing the guns and allowing wisdom, dialogue and local traditions to prevail.
He also urged both communities to deny an opportunity to those seeking to inflame tensions and widen the conflict for narrow interests that do not serve the people of the area or the future of their children.
“Protecting the social fabric and preserving lives is a collective responsibility that cannot tolerate delay or negligence,” he said.
The governor said Darfur needs unity, cooperation and cohesion more than ever to achieve security, stability and development, adding that this requires prioritising the public interest, rebuilding trust and strengthening tolerance among communities.
Idris concluded by praying for the safety of the Beni Halba and Salamat communities and for peace and reconciliation to guide the next phase.
