December 30, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The Chadian president Idriss Deby is engaged to the daughter of the notorious Darfuri Janjaweed leader Musa Hilal, according to a news report.

Leader of the Darfurian Arab Mahameed clan Musa Hilal (L) and Chadian president Idriss Deby (R)

The privately-owned al-Sudani newspaper said that Deby became engaged to Amani Musa Hilal during his most recent visit to Sudan, which took place last month.

Africa Alyom newspaper, quoting informed Chadian sources, said that Deby paid a $26 million dowry of which $25 million was paid to Musa Hilal and the rest to his daughter in the form of gold and jewelry.

The wedding is set to take place on 10 January 2012 at Rotana hotel in Khartoum, al-Sudani reported.

Hilal stands accused by many human rights groups of leading a terror campaign against the African tribes Sudan’s western region of Darfur.

The leader of the Darfurian Arab Mahameed clan has denied any wrongdoing and told Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a videotaped interview in 2005, that he only recruited militias on behalf of Sudan’s central government.

The Darfur conflict began in 2003 when an ethnic minority rose up against the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum, which then was accused of enlisting the Janjaweed militia group to help crush the rebellion.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) imposed travel and financial sanctions on Hilal and three other individuals in April 2006. However, unlike other individuals including Sudan’s president he is not wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

(ST)