Buram, June 13 (Darfur24)
At least three people, including a woman, were killed in a shooting incident during a social gathering in the Al-Balila area of South Darfur on Friday evening, according to residents and community leaders.
Ibrahim Al-Toumi, a resident of Buram town, told Darfur24 that the incident occurred in Al-Balila, about 15 kilometers southeast of Buram, when a man opened fire while celebrating at a social event.
Al-Toumi said the victims died instantly before they could be transported to a medical facility.
The victims were identified as Najla Mohamed Yahya, Yaqoub Al-Dudu Yahya, and Jaafar Mohamed, all members of the same family.
A leader of the Native Administration in South Darfur told Darfur24 on condition of anonymity that casualties resulting from celebratory gunfire at social events have exceeded 20 people this year, including both deaths and injuries, across several localities such as Rahad al-Bardi, Kass, and Ad al-Fursan.
The community leader said the actual number may be higher, as some families choose not to report incidents and instead resolve them through customary community mechanisms. In many cases, families accept financial compensation, locally known as “dia” (compensation payments), and classify the incidents as accidental killings.
He described the growing phenomenon as a serious concern and called on authorities to take measures to curb the practice, including restricting the presence of firearms at weddings, circumcision ceremonies, and other social events, particularly in remote areas with limited law enforcement presence.
Celebratory gunfire remains a common practice at some social occasions in Darfur. However, the widespread availability of weapons and the lack of controls have repeatedly resulted in deaths and injuries caused by stray bullets.