Fighting between two tribes broke out in a remote western part of the Nuba Mountains region, threatening to further worsen humanitarian conditions in the already war-affected area.
Multiple sources in Lagawa Locality in South Kordofan reported that Dajo and Misseriya fighters clashed in the area recently. Fighting resulted in casualties in the villages Nabgaya and Al Hambol. The cause of the clashes may be related to land use. Fighting involved the Zurug and Dira’a sections of the Misseriya Arab tribe and the Dajo tribe.
Six (6) were killed from the Dajo side and four (4) were injured and taken to the hospital in Lagawa for treatment, amid reports of continuing fighting on Tuesday.
Villages affected by the fighting are remote and generally inaccessible by road, and there are no telephones or other communications. Radio Tamazuj tried to contact Emir Ahmed Kuku, emir of the Dajo tribe in Lagawa Locality to find out the reasons for the conflict, but he could not be reached.
Emir Ismail Mohammed Yusuf, emir of the Misseriya Dira’a, was also unreachable. It is not known how many dead and wounded were left by the Misseriya. Their wounded fighters apparently have not been brought to the Lagawa hospital for treatment.
A source noted that authorities have been observing these developments but did not intervene to resolve the dispute.
It is also reported that staff are striking at Lagawa hospital because of low wages. The strike began Tuesday morning. One of the hospital workers told Radio Tamazuj that they suffer from low wages and delayed promotions. Worsening conditions at the hospital provoked public expressions of concern recently (Protests at Lagawa hospital, 5 July 2012).