Tensions have risen between the Ma’alia and Rizeigat tribes in Sudan’s East Darfur over cattle theft, but traditional leaders and security organs have intervened in order to contain the tension, according to a tribal leader.

Hamid Mohammadi Bashar, an omda (tribal leader) of the Ma’alia tribe, told Sudan Tribune that members of the Rizeigat stole about 900 head of sheep from them at ​​Dar es Salaam area in Abu Karink locality.

Mohammadi pointed out they reported the incident to security forces deployed between the two tribes in order to recover the stolen sheep in an attempt to avoid tribal clashes.

However, the traditional leader said that members of his Ma’alia tribe also went and took about 650 heads of sheep from the Rizeigat tribe.

Mohammadi confirmed their readiness to solve the problem with leaders of the Rizeigat tribe if they are willing to return back the sheep, while warning against mounting tensions between the two tribes.