SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga – Death toll of South Darfur attack rises to 56

20/1/2021: Radio Dabanga – Death toll of South Darfur attack rises to 56

 Radio Dabanga report that at least 56 have died and 37 were wounded in al-Tawil village in South Darfur after Arab Rizeigat tribe gunmen attacked Fallata tribal members.

Fallata spokesperson Ibrahim Mousa told Radio Dabanga that he was surprised by the heavy weapons used by attacks and alleged that Rapid Support Forces (RSF) troops participated in the attack. Mousa also criticised the failure of the government forces to intervene, despite the fact that the army garrison is only five kilometres away from where the attack took place.

Radio Dabanga also provide context on the tensions between Rizeigat and Fallata herders, which “have a long history in South Darfur.”

The Rizeigat are nomadic Arab herders who mainly herd cattle in South Darfur. When the Darfur War began in 2003, “many young Rizeigat herders were recruited to join the 'Janjaweed militia’”. The Fallata are cattle herders from non-Arab ethnic origins.