The arrest of Musa Hilal.
In recent months, Sudan’s Darfur region has enjoyed a period of relative calm. As conflict with Darfur’s beleaguered armed opposition groups has receded, the government has sought to cement its control through a controversial nationwide forcible weapons collection campaign. While allegations of heavy-handed tactics have been numerous, a much-anticipated backlash has not yet materialised. In a surprise turn of events, the government was able to neutralise at least temporarily the greatest perceived threat to its plans, when on November 27 it succeeded in arresting prominent militia leader Musa Hilal, the sheikh of the Mahamid clan of the Rizeigat Arab community of North Darfur.
The ongoing disarmament campaign may trigger other pockets of localised violence, both in Darfur and elsewhere.
The government will seize the opportunity to tighten its military control over Darfur, including over internally displaced persons camps.
Tensions within the Rizeigat community may take years to resolve.
