Kutum — UNAMID has facilitated a reconciliation meeting between representatives of Kutum and El-Waha localities, North Darfur, according to a press release from 12 November.

The meeting was aimed at highlighting the importance of peaceful co-existence and inter-community dialogue between the two localities, the statement read, adding that this is the only means for overcoming past problems.

Executive managers of both localities, the government's Military Commissioner, other local officials and UNAMID's representatives reportedly attended the meeting.

According to the press release, representatives of both localities agreed to bring the leaders of the seven administrative units for preliminary talks on 27 November to advance the reconciliation process, under the auspices of UNAMID's Civil Affairs Section.

One capital

The two main accepted reasons for the current conflicts between Kutum and El-Waha are the assassination of El-Waha's commissioner on 1 August and the assassination attempt of Kutum's commissioner on 4 September.

The first incident allegedly led to looting and violence in Kutum and in the Kassab and Fatta Barno camps. The second supposedly led to the killings of policemen, of border guards and to the burning of the police station in Kutum.

Due to the escalation of violence in the area, the Governor of North Darfur Osman Mohamed Yusuf Kibir, announced a state of emergency in the state.

Both Kutum and El-Waha localities share one capital: the town of Kutum.