ABU SHOUK CAMP, Sudan - Darfuris displaced by the conflict in western Sudan say years of fighting have created a new tribe in the region.
"I am not an Arab or African, I am a Darfuri and my tribe now is called Refugee. We are all refugees," said elderly Mohamed Hassan Yagoub. "We have all suffered the same attacks."
In Abu Shouk camp outside Darfur's main town el-Fasher, Arab tribes who fled 4-1/2 years of rape, killing and looting live alongside non-Arabs who make up the majority of the 2.2 million people in camps throughout the region the size of France.
"In the beginning in the camp there were problems," said Jamila Yehya Abakr. "When I went to get water they'd call me Janjaweed and say my people attacked them."
Abakr is from the Arab Rizeigat tribe, Mahamied clan, from which many of the militia mobilised by the government were drawn. Darfuris dubbed the militia Janjaweed, loosely derived from the Arabic for devils on horseback.
The militia are accused of the worst atrocities of the conflict, including mass rape and murder. International experts estimate some 200,000 people have died since 2003, though the Sudanese government puts the figure at 9,000.
The images of light-skinned Arabs riding camels attacking Africans civilians have long characterised the conflict, and it is often described as a war between Africans and Arabs.
But refugees in Abu Shouk say that explanation is overly simplistic and minimises their suffering.
"This is not a tribal conflict. It is a political problem created by the government," said Yagoub, who is of mixed African and Arab roots.
"Before this all the tribes used to live together without any differences."
LANGUAGE, CULTURE
The difference between Arab and African in Darfur is not colour. Everyone is black although some are darker than others. Being "Arab" or "African" is more about language, culture and history.
