A reconciliation conference between the Fellata and Masalit communities has opened in South Darfur’s capital Nyala as local leaders seek to prevent a return to the deadly violence that struck Gereida last month.
The social-cohesion conference began on Sunday under the slogan “Reconciliation is Better,” bringing together traditional leaders, community mediators, security representatives and delegations from the two communities, according to local Sudanese media.
The talks follow clashes in Gereida locality that killed at least 16 people over two days in September and wounded dozens more.
The Sudan Times previously reported that Sudan’s TASIS-backed Peace Government had pledged support for reconciliation talks after representatives of both communities signalled willingness to resolve the dispute.
The opening of the conference marks the start of those negotiations.
Fellata paramount chief Mohamed al-Fateh Ahmed al-Samani said his delegation had travelled to Nyala without preconditions in response to mediation efforts and the Peace Government’s reconciliation initiative.
He said the violence in Gereida began as an individual dispute before expanding and called for stronger action against people responsible for criminal activity and renewed communal tensions.
Adel Hassan al-Malik, representing the Masalit delegation from Gereida, said his community was prepared to open a new chapter with the Fellata and restore relations between the two sides.
Mediators from several traditional communities, including the Mahadi, Habbaniya and Rizeigat, are participating alongside the Sudanese Initiative for Social Cohesion.
Al-Tom al-Hadi Issa Dabka, head of the mediation committee, said the conference was intended to rebuild trust and develop measures capable of preventing further violence.
Brig. Hussein Khaddam, representing the Rapid Support Forces, said security forces were prepared to support reconciliation efforts and act against lawlessness under the law.
Participants called for stronger enforcement of the rule of law, accountability for those responsible for violence and a larger role for traditional administrations in resolving local disputes.
The conference is expected to focus on practical arrangements aimed at preventing renewed fighting and restoring peaceful coexistence between the Fellata and Masalit communities.
TASIS Prime Minister Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi had previously pledged government support for the talks and urged mediators and South Darfur authorities to address both immediate security concerns and longer-term grievances contributing to communal tensions.
