A leading member of Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in East Darfur state has warned an administrative vacuum still exists in some parts of the area following a bloody tribal conflict months ago between the Ma’alia and Riseigat tribes. Prominent NCP member Yusuf Hamid Ali said the specific areas facing the shortages are Abu Karinka and Adila.

Ali said the conflict sprang from the Ma’alia tribe’s desire to either join North Darfur or establish a new state, prompting some of their officials to resign en masse. The situation in the area is currently stable, but the earlier violence left the Adila and Abu Karinka areas under the control of only a local administration.

This is especially worrisome, he said, because some residents are facing severe food shortfalls after crop failures in the area.

He said it did not appear that the two sides were planning to negotiate again over the administration of East Darfur state. He did hint that the local administration could send a delegation to the presidency to discuss the possibility of creating a new state.