Rebels masquerading as Arab militia have killed 28 Arab tribesman in attacks in western Sudan over the last week, a Sudanese official and Arab tribal leader from the area said on Tuesday.
Abdullah Massar said rebels from the Justice and Equality and Movement and Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) had since July 29 launched daily raids against the Rizeiqat Arab tribe in southern Darfur. The SLM denied the allegation.
"They attacked previously a few weeks ago, but at the moment they are attacking daily," Massar said. Some of the rebels were riding camels and horses, copying the style of attacks launched by Janjaweed militia against rebels and villagers in the region.
"They want people to think they are Janjaweed," said Massar, who is governor of Nile River State north of Khartoum.
He said 28 people had been killed and 91 wounded in the attacks.
The rebels, who signed a cease-fire with Khartoum in April, were launching Janjaweed-style attacks to avoid taking the blame, he added. The rebels and Khartoum have accused each other of frequent truce violations.