The October 21, 2024, incident in the Mershing locality, particularly in the Manawashi area in South Darfur, highlights the persistent tensions between herders and farmers, which often intensify during the harvest season. Despite the presence of protection forces designated to safeguard the agricultural season, daily violations against farmers continue to occur.

In this particular case, Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Adam, a 25-year-old farmer, was shot in the hand, and seven of his sheep were stolen in a violent confrontation. The conflict began when cows belonging to herders entered farmland, prompting the Agricultural Season Protection Force to intervene and detain the cows in a pen overseen by the Agricultural Season Protection Committee.

The herders were expected to pay a fine as compensation for the damage caused by their livestock.

However, instead of paying the fine, the herders attempted to retrieve their cows by force, which escalated into a gunfight, causing chaos in the Manawashi market and forcing people to flee. As a group of Arabs left the market, they encountered Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed 4 kilometers from Manawashi while he was tending his sheep.

He was assaulted, and seven sheep were stolen. A report was subsequently filed with the local authorities.

This incident reflects the ongoing and deeply rooted tensions between herders and farmers in the Mershing area, particularly during the harvest season, where disputes over land and livestock often lead to violence and further destabilize the region.

 The need for stronger and more effective conflict resolution mechanisms is evident to prevent such clashes and ensure the safety and livelihoods of both farmers and herders.