BLOODSHED IN WEST DARFUR .. CRIMINALS MUST BE BROUHT TO JUSTICE

The recent violent incidents in the Al-Geneina, the capital city of West Darfur State are very tragic and represents a big failure to the components of the transitional government.
It is unfortunate that Darfur resumed the bloodshed tragedy after the considerable security stability following the 17 years of civil war a matter that resulted to claiming the lives of 300 thousand people along with more than 3.5 million displaced.
We believe that the military component in the transitional government is directly responsible for the violence that took place there due to its neglecting the sensitive circumstances and the anticipation of tribal conflicts even if they are between individuals.
The concerned authorities in Al-Geneina under-estimated what might happen after the killing of one person from certain tribe by another from other tribe, so it did not take firm measures to down-size the conflict between the two tribes.
The decision of the Council of Security and Defence to send joint troops to the area could bring about control to some extent, but it would not resolve the issue considering that the region is witnessing security vacuum due to the UNAMID exit from Darfur without being replace by similar numbers of regular forces.
It goes without saying that the formation of the joint peace troops which are supposed to replace the UNAMID will take long time as it is linked to the security arrangements stipulated in Juba Peace Agreement between the government and the armed struggle movements, so the transitional government should consider this important issue by replacing the UNAMID troops.
The government should recognize that there are parties fishing in trouble waters and want to erupt chaos by exploiting the UNAMID exit and resume their criminal actions to create the instability in the region.
It is not enough to send more troops, but what is important is to issue harsh punishments against the criminals who were involved in the bloody incidents.
The fact-finding committee formed should come out with concrete recommendations to size down the violence and at the same time to impose the rule of law.
I fully agree with Darfur Bar Association which complained that the local military commander did not respond to the state governed in declaring the state of emergency and curfew.
Also the doctors union complied the slow respond to its calls to protect the medical facilities and staff.
Let us hope that the recent incidents in West Darfur raise the alert amid the transitional government to respond rapidly and anticipate any tribal violence.