At least 41 killed in Sudan clashes over oil-rich land — tribe

KHARTOUM — At least 41 people have been killed in clashes between rival Sudanese clans over the ownership of land being explored for oil in West Kordofan state, a tribal source said.

Another 13 people were seriously wounded in the fighting that raged through to Sunday between the Zurug and Awlad Amran clans of the powerful Misseriya tribe, the source told AFP.

Those involved in the clashes used Kalashnikov assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades.

A witness, who declined to be named, said the fighting broke out as each group claimed ownership of a plot of land where drilling for oil is under way.

Oil-rich West Kordofan state borders the province of South Kordofan where Sudanese government forces have been battling rebels for nearly three years.

It also neighbours the western region of Darfur, where the army and allied tribes have since 2003 battled rebels demanding an end to economic marginalisation and power sharing with the Khartoum government.

Fighting between tribes is frequent in Sudan, and often breaks out over grazing rights.

The Misseriya is a seminomadic Arab tribe that raises cattle.