Sudan: An analysis conflicts arising from border demarcations in West Kordofan

(13 September 2022) African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) would like to draw the attention of Sudanese transitional authorities, South Sudanese Government, United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyi, United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sudan, Sudan Human Rights Commission, Sudanese political leaders, Abyi area local authority, Native administrations of Hamar, Messseria, and Dink Noge tribes in West and South Kordofan States and Abyi area to the expected resultant consequences of tensions between the tribes in areas in West Kordofan and its negative impacts on peace and security. The rampant conflicts arising from border demarcations in the area could lead to negative consequences including deaths, injuries, displacements, and loss of properties.

ACJPS makes the following recommendations to the authorities:

1. Review of the land demarcations with the help of experts. This must be done cautiously as it may lead to conflicts in other areas with similar issues.
2. The military must abstain from intervening in land conflicts and any intervention/resources must come through official government channels.
3. Ensure accountability for previous incidents
4. Sudan and South Sudan governments should address conflicts in Abyi area and ensure safe access through Mraheed.
5. Sudanese authorities should review Mraheed and ensure security of both livestock and citizens.
6. All communities should agree to common usage of passageways for livestock in peaceful manner.
7. Sudanese and South Sudanese authorities should review, agree and announce dates for movement for livestock.
8. Put in place advanced security monitoring mechanisms/systems.

The signing of agreement between the Hamar and Messeria tribes

On 15 September 2021, a press conference was held in Khartoum at Republican Palace following the signing of the agreement between the Hamar and Messeria tribes of West Kordofan. The agreement addressed the incidents of land dispute that took place in May, July and August 2021 which led to the killing of approximately thirty people from both tribes. Additionally, a number of people were injured during border demarcation between localities of Al-Nhood occupied by Hamar, Alsnoot and Messeria tribes in West Kordofan. The agreement was signed by Mohamed Mahamdia Al-Bashir as representative of the Hamar tribe and the Messeria were represented by Ahmed Eltijani Abdul Monim. The press conference was addressed by Dr. Sidiq Taawr, a former member of Sudan Sovereign Council. Ms. Buthina Dinaar, the former minister for local government witnessed the agreement.

Politics involved in the demarcation

On 29 August 2022, Mr. Adam Karshoum, the deputy governor of West Kordofan and a member of the Sudan People’s Liberations Army /Northern Sector (SPLM/N), a signatory to the Sudanese Peace Agreement (2020) announced an order for tribal/border demarcation made on 22 July 2022 in the area of Aldewika. Earlier in August 2021, the area located between Alsnnot locality occupied by Messeria tribe and Al-Nohood locality occupied by Hamar tribe had witnessed a tribal conflict. According to a statement by Sudan News Agency (SONA) on 22 July 2022, the nature of the demarcation is administrative. Dr. Maaz Tango, an expert in border demarcation and related issues stated that the demarcation was made with consent of leaders of both tribes in Khartoum and it followed the old demarcation between 1936-1953 made by the British. In an additional statement made by the demarcation committee, it was mentioned that land ownership remains under Sudanese government and that both parties should continue to utilize the land without conflict pertaining to ownership. The background is that both tribes are nomads. A conference was held with the aim of reconciliation, addressing past and preventing future recurrence of conflict between both tribes.  Previously Alnhood was under North Kordofan locality until 2012. In 2013, it was included as part of West Kordofan.

The freezing/suspension of the demarcation process

The suspension was announced on 31^st August 2022 according to the deputy governor following a meeting between Hamar tribe and Gen. Shams Eldien Dafallah Alkabasji, a member of Sudanese Sovereign Council during his visit to West Kordofan in absence of Messeria tribe. Reliable sources informed ACJPS that the decision to freeze the demarcation process followed a complaint from Hamar tribe who did not accept the outcome of the demarcation. The reactions to this suspension came from three bodies under Messeria that issued different statements condemning the suspension. These are the Messeria head of native administration known as “Nazir”, Mr. Izzi Eldien Herika; Mr. Fadlallah Burma Nasir, former Sudanese Minster of defense (1985-1989) and the acting chairman of Uma National Party and Messeria Youth Association. While the Hamar support the suspension and advocate for cancellation of the demarcation process, the Nazir, Mr. Monim Abdul Gadir Monim Mansoor made statements that they may close the highway linking Darfur and Khartoum through Alnhood. Additionally, Hamar Youth association also issued a statement supporting the suspension.

Historically Hamar and Messeria have been living together in Kordofan region and share same economic activities as both tribes are nomads. The Hamars have camels while the Messeria look after cows. Since 1953, they have been together under the same administration called Messeria and Hamar sub administration. The tensions came after a series of incidents between August 2021 and July 2022 during transitional period. This causes of the tensions were similar to causes of other clashes in Eastern Sudan, Abyi area and Darfur. The land demarcation in their areas were requested by both parties and they agreed on it through their native administrations when signed the agreement in Khartoum. According to a reliable source, the cost of the demarcation reached 36 million Sudanese pounds ($64000). The central authority paid 20 million pounds ($35000) and West Kordofan paid theremaining16 million pounds ($28000).

Impacts/effects of the situation

The situation may affect the relationship between the parties on ground. It will also affect the political situation because of ongoing competition between SAF and RSF over power control.  Furthermore, the conflicts may result to the displacement of people as well as affect other activities like the movement of livestock after the rainy season. As a worst-case scenario, it may lead to loss of lives in big numbers from both parties mainly of the youth. There are several states that may be affected. These include:

1. West Kordofan

West Kordofan is the state that will be most affected if any conflict arises. The damage on both people and livestock will be severe as the people in West Kordofan are nomads and depend on Marvel to feed their animals. The damage will also spill over to Gam Arabic which in areas of Messeria,

2. South Kordofan

Any negative impacts in West Kordofan will also effect South Kordofan in the same measure because the Maraheel goes through South Kordfan. This may cause the Al-Hawazma to join Messeria and form an alliance. Additionally, South Kordofan has elements of land conflict as recent incidents in June 2022 in Gadeer locality resulted to the killing of several people.

The demarcation conflicts may also escalate other conflicts of political in nature, for example, a recent incident that happened on 28^th August 2022 where the Sudanese People’s liberation Movement/ Northern Sector led by Gen. Abdul Aziz Adam AL hello issued a statement ordering the arrest of seven members of Popular Defense Forces, all of whom belong to Messeria tribe after the SPLM/N crossed over and gained control of the area in South Kordofan.  The current tension in West Kordfan is as a result of difference in affiliations as some tribes in the areas are affiliated to PDF and others to RSF.

3. Abyi Area

Messeria will similarly face the same impact of lack of Marvel in Abyi area because Dinka Noge will probably block/ban them from accessing the Msaraat through their lands.

Back ground

From the year 1993 to 1995, there were intertribal conflicts between Messeria and Hamar wings. Since 1997, Messeria land was affected by the discovery of oil and there was a spillover effect in Gam Arabic as result of the pipe line and unfair compensation. In 2014, Messeria held peaceful protest/sit-down in Alfula for three months demanding for better services such as education, health and power supply from government. In June 2022, conflicts again resumed between Messeria and Hamar over an area called Almhafoor located within Alkwika which is currently targeted by demarcation. The land is generally regarded as government land. There has been no accountability for all incidents since 2021 in the area and this has only intensified the tensions. Such conflicts kept happening during transitional period in many areas across Sudan raising questions of who could be behind them and why the patterns increased during transitional period because communities have been living harmoniously in the past. However, the government intervention by demarcation has only added fuel to the already existing fire/conflicts because it is not the appropriate applicable solution in this case. The root causes of these conflicts should be addressed through development and justice.