SUMMARY

The clashes between the Habaniya and Rizeigat Baggara are one of many conflicts relating to the diminishing land and water resources of Darfur. Disputes between tribes of nomadic camel and cattle herders and farmers have been taking place in Darfur since the reign of the Fur sultanate (c. 1650-1916).

Back then, the British sought to control Darfur through “Native Administrations” of tribal leaders and gave nazirs, chiefs, clear demarcated authority over ethnic groups, and over the civil affairs within their territory. Most groups were given a combination of a dar and access to pastures on a pre-ordained annual calendar. However, some of the nomadic groups were not given land and this spawned a cycle of tribal conflicts and economic grievances as these groups relied on customary rights to graze and water their animals in regions dominated by farmers.

Initially this was not so problematic until desertification began spreading south and farms expanded, reducing the amount of pasture available and thus making farmers less willing to provide grazing rights to the nomadic groups. Almost concurrent with this, a wave of Arab supremacism turned neighbors into enemies as the government began arming the Arab militias due to conflicts with Chad and South Sudan. These factors combined created situations where minor tensions and disputes between groups, previously managed by tribal mediation, have spiraled into waves of violence with large casualties.

The conflict between Habaniya and Rizeigat Baggara is a typical example of other similar non-state conflicts between tribes in Darfur because of the diminishing land resources. The fighting between the two tribes has mainly been located in the border districts between South and East Darfur, especially Gereida and Sunta districts.

The non-state conflict between Habaniya and Rizeigat Baggara was first included in UCDP data in 2006. In July of that year, the two sides clashed around the locality of Gereida, resulting in over 25 battle-related deaths.