SUMMARY

A majority of the non-state conflicts in Darfur has followed the dichotomy of groups with a more Arab identity against groups with a more non-Arab one. However, in 2007 Darfur witnessed a sharp upsurge in fighting between ethnic groups that are usually categorized as being “Arab”. The most severe of these conflicts pushed the Terjam against the Reizegat Abbala. Both of these groups have actively supported the Sudanese government’s counter-insurgency towards the Darfurian rebel groups. The Reizegat Abbala tribe has over the years encroached on small settlements in areas controlled by the Terjam leading to tensions between the two groups.

The possibility of the coming of a stronger international force to Darfur was another reason for the initiation of Terjam andReizegat Abbala fighting; struggling over control of the land that the Fur had been forced to leave. The Reizegat Abbala, heavily armed by the Sudanese government, was able to hurt the Terjam severely and many were forced to seek shelter in IDP camps. The Terjam became increasingly frustrated with the government and accused it of supporting the Reizegat Abbala and for its lack of providing any security or legal response to the fighting. This aggravation led some Terjam to express a wish to join the Darfurian insurgency groups.

The non-state conflict between Reizegat Abbala and Terjam is first included in UCDP data in 2007. In January that year, clashes between the two groups in the Bulbul area of South Darfur resulted in at least 25 battle-related deaths.