North Darfur

 

Gunmen ambush children in North Darfur, kidnap two

January 9 – 2017 SORTONY

On Friday, gunmen ambushed a group of children near Sortony camp in North Darfur’s, and kidnapped two of them.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a relative of the victims reported that a group of seven gunmen riding on donkeys ambushed ten children not far from the Sortony camp for the displaced on Friday afternoon.

“The children were collecting firewood near the village of Keyo, two km south-west of Sortony. When they saw the janjaweed, they started running back to the camp,” he said.

“However Abdelwahid Saleh Abdelmola (8) and Abdelazim Adam Hamid (6) were not fast enough, and fell into the hands of these janjaweed. They took them with them to an unknown destination.”

 

Suspended North Darfur students evicted from house

January 13 – 2017 EL FASHER

Security agents and police officers evicted a number of medical university students from their boarding houses in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, on Friday morning.

The students at the Faculty of Medicine have been dismissed from the University of El Fasher since November last year. Security and police force, in civilian clothes, arrived at El Rashid boarding house in eight vehicles at 7am, to evict them.

One of the evicted students told Radio Dabanga that they were “forcibly evacuated” by the agents and officers. Saad Yousef (21 years) was separated from the rest of the students and taken to unknown place.

The university students had held a sit-in against the University of El Fasher in October 2016, complaining about the steep rise of registration and tuition fees (from $57 to $122). They threatened to continue their protest until the university administration would respond to their demands.

The administration of the University of El Fasher then decided to indefinitely suspend their subscription, after it claimed that all attempts to dissuade the students from continuing their protests had failed.

The Dean announced in November that the striking students will soon be evicted from the University’s boarding houses.

 

(Report also in South Darfur)

Darfur: Boy, two men killed in shootings

January 13 – 2017 KUTUM / NYALA

In separate incidents on Thursday, a boy was shot and succumbed to his wounds in the hospital of Kutum and a paramilitary was killed. In Nyala locality, a man was shot dead.

Three militiamen opened fire on a number of basic school pupils in El Kasr, east of Kutum town, a source reported to Radio Dabanga.

The seriously injured Babiker Abdel Aziz was taken to the hospital in Kutum, where he died during surgery.

West of El Kasr, three militiamen on motorcycles shot Badr Mohamed, a member of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The source said that the attackers stole his weapon and mobile phone, and fled the scene.

In Nyala locality, South Darfur, a displaced man was killed by gunmen on Thursday night.

A Sheikh of Otash camp told Radio Dabanga that three gunmen opened fire on a group of camp residents on Thursday evening. “One of them was killed immediately. Another person was wounded seriously and taken to the hospital in Nyala.”

 

(Report also in Central and South Darfur)

Two dead, nine injured, three kidnapped in Darfur violence

January 16 – 2017 DARFUR

People in North, Central, and South Darfur Darfur reported a number of violent incidents over the weekend.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, an activist said that a displaced man was shot dead near Sortony in Kabkabiya locality in North Darfur on Saturday.

“A group of people living in the Sortony camp were on their way to the Rokoro Market on Saturday morning, when five gunmen suddenly began to shoot at them south of the camp.” she said.

“Ismail Adam Mohamed was killed instantly. Babikir Abdallah Mukhtar sustained serious bullet wounds and had to be taken to the Unamid clinic in Sortony.”

Stabbed to death

In Kassab camp for the displaced in Kutum locality, Arafa Mohamed Adam was murdered on Friday. “A hitherto unknown person knocked her door in the evening, and stabbed her to death,” a camp elder reported.

Beaten

In North Darfur’s Tawila locality, four women were injured in an attack on Sunday.

“Salma Ibrahim, Kaltoum Saleh, Fatima Yousef, and Aisha Abbas were collecting straw near Tabit, when five militiamen riding on camels intercepted them,” a relative of one of the victims told this station. “They severely beat them with their whips. Salma sustained various wounds on her head and Kaltoum’s hand was broken.”

He added that the Tabit military garrison was notified about the incident.

Kidnapped

A group of militiamen abducted two firewood collectors 15 kilometres south of Dubbo El Omda in Tawila locality on Sunday.

“Five members of a government militia riding on camels ambushed Nasreldin Haroun and Abdelkarim Mohamed when they collected firewood near Tirbowa village,” a relative of Haroun reported. “They took them to an unknown destination.”

Shooting

In Central Darfur, four people were injured in a shooting near Mukjar on Saturday.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that a group of seven armed men riding on donkeys opened fire at the Saraf Saada Koran school, 10 km south of Mukjar, with the purpose of stealing sorghum from its stores.

“Ahmed Bahreldin (48), Yousef Abdallah (25), Younes Osman (22), and Mohamed Ishag (21) sustained injuries, and had to be taken to Mukjar Hospital,” he said.

“People in the area managed to seize one of the attackers called Yasin Mohamed Shahad. They have handed him, together with his Kalashnikow, to the police of Mukjar.”

Released

On Sunday, South Darfur security forces managed to free Dr Abu Obeida Mahmoud, who was kidnapped in the state capital the day before.

The brother of the victim told Radio Dabanga that a group of gunmen seized Mahmoud and two of his sons in front of Ansar El Sunna Mosque in Nyala on Saturday evening. “They released the boys after a distance, and took Abu Obeida to an unknown destination.”

He explained that security forces discovered that his brother was held in a house at the Nyala-Kass- Zalingei highway. “They immediately raided the house, and released Abu Obeida. He safely returned to his home in Nyala on Sunday afternoon.”

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Murder, robberies in North Darfur

January 17 – 2017 EL FASHER / KABKABIYA / TAWILA

A livestock theft led to the death of a herder in North Darfur on Sunday. A young man was shot in a robbery on Monday.  A war remnant in Jebel Marra exploded, killing a man.

The cattle theft took place 35 kilometres north-east of El Fasher, in Umkadawiya. Gunmen in vehicles surrounded the herders and shot three of them. Dafallah Jiddo Ibrahim was killed on the spot while two other herders sustained injuries.

The attackers stole 170 camels and turned them to Um Jalbakh, west of El Fasher, according to a source in the area.

Explosion

A man and his camel were killed when a remnant of war exploded in East Jebel Marra on Monday morning. El Daeif Hamid Suleiman (32 years) came across the explosive remnant in Jenna, 15 kilometres south of Tabit, one of his relatives told Radio Dabanga.

Road robbery

Armed men on motorcycles attacked a commercial vehicle on its way to Kabkabiya from camp Sabagel Kheil on Monday at 5am. A displaced young man, Abughasim Abdelaziz Abaker (17), sustained a bullet wound and has been transferred to the hospital of Unamid in Kabkabiya town.

The gunmen got away with money, mobile phones and goods the passengers were carrying to the Medseisis market in Kabkabiya, a listener informed this station.

Protest

On Monday in Tawila locality, dozens of women gathered in front of the military garrison of Tabit to demand the release of Mukhtar Abakar Ishag, the Omda of Dobo El Omda. The Omda has been arrested by the security apparatus in El Fasher and transferred to the security service’s detention centre in Khartoum last November.

The crowd further demanded the release of student Abdelhamid Abdelkarim, detained from Tabit and moved to Khartoum last December. Women who participated in the gathering told Radio Dabanga that they also called upon the local authorities to provide protection to women when they go out to collect firewood and straw.

A committee of eleven people from Tabit and surrounding villages has planned to meet with the Commissioner and submit these demands soon.

 

Abduction from North Darfur livestock market

January 18 – 2017 KABKABIYA

A resident of Sortony camp for the displaced was abducted by armed men from Kabkabiya market in North Darfur on Monday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that Abdeljabbar Abdelmajid as at the livestock market in Kabkabiya, when he was accosted by a group pf gunmen driving a Land Cruiser mounted with a Dushka machine gun.

The men seized Abdelmajid at gunpoint, “in full public view”.

The motive for the abduction is still unclear, and no demands for ransom have been received.

 

Student wounded in North Darfur armed robberies

January 22 – 2017 KUTUM

On Wednesday, a student was shot in Kutum in North Darfur. Two commercial vehicles were hijacked in two separate incidents in Kutum locality.

“Two men wearing military uniforms and riding a motorcycle intercepted two secondary school students and robbed them of their mobile phones in the Karkawiya district in eastern Kutum on Wednesday evening,” a listener reported to Radio Dabanga.

“When the students refused to hand them their mobile phones, the attackers shot them. El Amin Hodei was seriously injured in his thigh, and had to be taken to Kutum Hospital,” he said.

Mohamed Digeish, Independent MP for Um Baru, Karnoi, and El Tina localities in North Darfur, told Radio Dabanga that a group of militiamen attacked two lorries in the area of Rahad El Jineid.

“Militiamen driving seven Land Cruisers intercepted a lorry en route from El Fasher to Arouri,”he reported. “They ordered the passengers to disembark, and robbed them of their money, mobile phones, and four sheep. The value of the stolen items has been estimated at more than SDG 300,000 ($46,300), including the cash amount of SDG 130,000 stolen from Ismail Imam.”

The MP added that the militiamen took the vehicle with its load to Zeleita in the area of Damrat El Gubba.

Another commercial vehicle, coming from El Tina, was hijacked by the same militiamen. It was on its way to El Fasher, capital of North Darfur. Digeish said that also this vehicle can be found in Zeleita.

 

12-year-old girl abducted in North Darfur

January 22 – 2017 DUBBO EL OMDA

Gunmen seized a girl and her cows in Tawila locality in North Darfur on Friday, and took her to an unknown destination.

“Three armed men riding on camels intercepted Shadia Haroun Ibrahim (12) when she was grazing the 12 cows of her family in the area of Barakandi, west of Dubbo El Omda, in eastern Jebel Marra,” a relative of the victim told Radio Dabanga.

“They took her and the cattle with them,” he said, and added that the incident was reported to the Katur military garrison.

 

North Darfur village threatened with fire

January 24 – 2017 TABIT

Villagers in Tawila locality, North Darfur received threats to burn their village over a dispute with camel herders on Sunday. The next morning a woman was reportedly beaten by the herders.

The camel herders threatened to burn Kadarik, about 5 km north Tabit, on the pretext of the loss of one of their dogs. “About fifteen camel herders came here claiming that their dog is missing and demanded from us to bring them the missing dog within 24 hours,” a villager told Radio Dabanga “Otherwise they will burn the village.”

On Monday morning, herders assaulted Kaltoum Haroun Saleh and severely beat her when she left the village to collect firewood, the villager said. Saleh has been transferred to a health centre in Tabit.

 

‘100 rape complaints in 2016, two soldiers to hang’: Darfur prosecutor

January 26 – 2017 EL FASHER

The Public Prosecutor for Darfur says that a total of 100 complaints were filed of rape of women and children in the region last year, of which 15 have gone to trial.

Counsellor Mohamed Tayfur was speaking at a press conference on Tuesday announcing that two soldiers charged with rape of children in Darfur have been sentenced to death by hanging.

Counsellor Tayfur said that of the 100 complaints of rape of women and children in Darfur over the past year, 11 have been adjudicated according to the Child Rights Act.

He said that overall, 315 criminal complaints were registered in Darfur during 2016, of which 241 are under investigation. He revealed that ten new reports of rape have already been filed in January.

The prosecutor explained that penalties for child rape range from death, to 10, 15, or 20 years’ imprisonment.

He said that about 41 cases are currently being tried by the courts. About 35 of them have been adjudicated and there are six cases before the appeal courts.

Tayfur said that that the Darfur crimes prosecutor office and relevant authorities managed to capture a number of defendants who have been causing insecurity in the region.

He said that committees of inquiry appointed by the competent authorities will investigate the incidents of El Geneina and Nierteti from the competent authorities, as “these are not the responsibility of the Darfur Public Prosecutor.

 

(Report also in South Darfur)

Displaced man murdered, another ‘beaten, tortured’ in Darfur

January 26 – 2017 GIREIDA / TABIT

Abdullah Zakaria of camp Foreca was allegedly subjected to severe beating and torture by military intelligence agents after he was detained in Gireida locality, South Darfur on Tuesday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that military intelligence agents and police officers arrived at the house of Mohamed Zakaria at camp Foreca in two vehicles onTuesday afternoon.

“When they did not find Mohammed Zakaria, they detained his brother Abdullah Zakaria. They beat and tortured him before his release – in poor health – on Wednesday afternoon.

Herders

Jiddo Norein El Tahir was fatally wounded by herders south of Tabit in North Darfur on Wednesday.

A relative of the victim told Radio Dabanga that three militant camel herders intercepted three people who were on their way back to Tabit after collecting straw. The herders demanded the people give them the straw they had collected. Jiddo Norein refused to do so, so they shot him.

Norein was transferred to El Fasher hospital in a serious condition, where he later died of is injuries.

In a separate incident on Wednesday morning, four herders assaulted and beat three women who were on their way to Hashaba village, six kilometres  south of Tabit, after collecting straw. The herders than set fire to the straw that was being carried on the backs of donkeys.

 

Ransom demand for kidnapped Darfur students

January 26 – 2017 KUTUM

A paramilitary group that kidnapped two secondary schools students from Kutum in North Darfur on 17 January have demanded a ransom of SDG 10,000 ($1,500) for their release.

A relative of Haitham Mohammed Khater and Mohammed Ahmad told Radio Dabanga that the militia group contacted them demanding the ransom, and told them that the students are being held at Damirat El Gubba.

The relative said they refused to pay the ransom and demanded the authorities intervene to immediately release the kidnapped youths, especially that the perpetrators have now publicly revealed the place where they are holding them.

On Tuesday, militants kidnapped Adam Yagoub of Camp Eirli in Kass locality, and released him after the payment of a ransom on Wednesday.

One of the Sheikhs told Radio Dabanga that militants using a Land Cruiser kidnapped Adam Yagoub at gunpoint. He did not specify how much was paid, or by whom.

 

Tabit in North Darfur ‘besieged by armed herders’

January 26 – 2017 TABIT

The residents of Tabit and its neighbouring villages in North Darfur complained of a continued siege by armed herders, which prevent them from going out to collect firewood and straw. The herders assert that the land is specified for their cattle to graze.

Callers who spoke to Radio Dabanga from Tabit expressed concern that the continuing siege and aggression by the armed herdsmen would lead to starvation, displacement, and death of livestock.

They demand that the state Government and Tawila locality Commissioner intervene immediately to stop the abuses and violations by the militant herdsmen.

State Legislative Council

On Tuesday, the North Darfur State Legislative Council strongly demanded the state Government to put an end to the deliberate destruction of agricultural crops by the herders, and the implementation of the rules that govern the relationship between the herders and farmers.

At its meeting in El Fasher, the Council demanded obliging herders to be committed to the early grazing period as set by the rules in February of each year.

The Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Forestry, Anwar Ishag Suleiman, confirmed the responsibility of his Ministry in the agricultural field with regard to the fight against pests and diseases. He said that the deliberate destruction of foodstuffs is the responsibility of committees to protect the agricultural season.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Hijacks and raid in Central, North Darfur

January 27 – 2017 ZALINGEI / TABIT

Robberies took place in separate incidents in Darfur on Thursday. Militiamen raided a village in Tawila locality on Wednesday.

On Thursday militiamen hijacked a commercial vehicle on its way from Nierteti to Zalingei in Central Darfur, and robbed the passengers of their money and mobile phones. A witness said that the militiamen, six in total, stopped the vehicle at gunpoint in Shawa, 12 kilometres east of Zalingei.

“They forced the passengers out of the car and beat several of them up,” the witness reported. Money, mobile phones, luggage, and commercial goods were stolen. The attackers then drove off with the vehicle.

Raid

Militiamen attacked a villager during a raid in a village 10 kilometres north of Tabit in North Darfur on Wednesday.

A witness in Koushna reported that members of the Rapid Support Forces, driving two vehicles, entered the village in the evening and beat a number of villagers during their raid. This reportedly caused injuries to a number of people, including Mohamed Ibrahim who was transferred in a coma to El Fasher.

The militiamen took off with villagers’ money, and quantities of sorghum, sesame, beans, dry okra and tobacco.

 

Militiamen assault displaced woman in North Darfur

January 30 – 2017 FATA BORNO

A woman resident of the Fata Borno camp in Kutum locality was seriously injured in an attack by gunmen on Saturday evening.

A camp elder recounted to Radio Dabanga that three gunmen ambushed Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim when she was returning from her orchard to the camp.

“They beat her with their rifle butts on her head, causing serious injuries,” he said. “She was taken to a health centre at Fata Borno.”

 

Herder dies in North Darfur cattle robbery

January 31 – 2017 EL FASHER

A man was killed in a clash between cattle thieves and locals west of the North Darfur capital of El Fasher on Sunday. A total of 95 cows were stolen.

Bandits attacked a group of local residents who were driving a herd of cows in Duggu area, west of El Fasher. Abdallah Ishag was killed and Sadig Ahmed was injured in the ensuing firefight, Omda Mukhtar Bosh reported to Radio Dabanga. The attackers made off with 95 of the cows.

A party of herders accompanied by 13 vehicles headed towards Tawila on Monday in search of the culprits, Bosh said.

 

Goods, cash netted in North Darfur highway robbery

February 1 – 2017 KUTUM

Traders and passengers in a commercial vehicle were intercepted and robbed of cash, goods, and mobile phones three kilometres north of Kutum in North Darfur on Monday evening.

Witnesses and passengers told Radio Dabanga that a group of three gunmen wearing military uniforms and riding two motorcycles intercepted the Land Cruiser owned by Abakar Ahmed Osman at Mulagat. The vehicle was travelling from Anka to Kutum.

One of the passengers said the gunmen took the vehicle away from the main road and then seized SDG 9,000 ($1,400) from the passengers, along with goods and phones.

He said they then released the passengers and took-off with the vehicle.

 

Soldiers, locals ambushed: Four dead in North Darfur

February 3 – 2017 KORMA

Militiamen killed four people and injured three in an ambush on a rescue team consisting of soldiers, policemen and civilians in Korma in El Fasher locality on Thursday.

A member of the team told Radio Dabanga that they were ambushed in Jebel Mala, south of Korma. The soldiers, Popular Defence Forces and policemen were tracking down a group of armed men who stole about 200 sheep from Tawila. Civilians joined the rescue team.

“Militiamen, driving four Land Cruisers, ambushed us and shot two policemen, who were killed on the spot. A member of the PDF and a local, named Mohamed Hussein Abdelrazek, were also killed,” the eyewitness said.

Reportedly none of the attackers sustained injuries.

Among the wounded are an army and a police lieutenant, two women and one man. The attackers seized a vehicle of the police and a second vehicle of one of the civilians, in addition to several motorcycles the rescue team was using.

On Friday police in El Fasher deployed a unit of 21 vehicles to chase the perpetrators, the witness said.

 

Sudan Tribune

Cattle raiders kill three military in North Darfur’s Tawila

February 3, 2017 (EL FASHER) – Two police officers and an army soldier were killed in an ambush by cattle rustlers outside the capital of North Darfur state on Friday. A government official said the attack occurred when a joint force was returning to Tawila, 60 km west of North Darfur capital El-Fasher, after recapturing the stolen cattle. The official source who requested anonymity said on Thursday the armed rustlers had stolen the cattle outside Tawila and headed in direction of Jebel Sirginat, in the northern part of the area. Following what a force from the army, police and Popular Defence Forces, joint by several villagers tracked the raiders, clashed with them and recaptured cattle stolen cattle. However, the rustlers attacked the force while it was returning to Tawila and killed a soldier, and two police officers, he said.

Also, the assailants wounded two army lieutenant officers and the owner of stolen cattle, Dawod Bosh.

A local leader Ahmed Suleiman confirmed that some villagers took part in the hunting of raiders.

Suleiman further said the rustlers besides the cattle captured a Land Curser vehicle and motorcycle.

 

People killed, injured, abducted, robbed in North Darfur’s Kutum

February 6 – 2017 KUTUM

Militiamen shot dead a man, and cut the ear of another in Kutum in North Darfur on Sunday. On Saturday, two men were abducted from the Kutum Market. A group of militiamen robbed the passengers of a commercial vehicle on the Kutum-El Fasher road. Another group stole goats from displaced in Kutum.

Militiamen driving a Land Cruiser stopped Abdallah Abdelkarim and Adam Saleh in the Sangar district in western Kutum, a relative of the victims told Radio Dabanga.

“They demanded their cell phones and money. When they refused, they shot dead Abdallah. They beat Adam with a rifle, and then cut off one of his ears.”

On Saturday afternoon, Ahmed Omar Ibrahim and Osman Haroun Khater were kidnapped by a group of gunmen. “The gunmen beat the men. and then took them by force of arms to an unknown destination west of the town” a market trader reported.

He added that on the same day, a paramilitary group driving a Land Cruiser intercepted a passenger lorry at the road linking Kutum with El Fasher, capital of North Darfur. “They stopped the lorry at at gun point in the area of Nena, and threatened to shoot the passengers if they would not give them their money, mobile phones, and luggage.”

In Fata Borno in Kutum locality, 15 goats were stolen. “Three militiamen riding on camels and a donkey, and another one driving a motorcycle ambushed a group of children from the Fata Borno camp for the displaced who were grazing goats not far from the camp,” a camp resident reported to this station.

She said that a search team of camp residents found the stolen animals in the neighbourhood. “The militiamen however threatened to shoot anyone who dared to approach the goats.”

Insecurity

In October last year, the Commissioner of Kutum locality, Adam Awadelkarim Bosh, resigned from his post, reportedly in protest against the security situation and the state government’s inaction to solve it.

Bosh reportedly complained that the Ministries of Justice and the Interior had not provided judicial and policing organs such as a judge, a prosecutor, and a police force for five years.

Forces were sent to the locality later that month to implement measures set by the North Darfur government to curb the rampant insecurity. Three days after their arrival, however, they left again.

“After the government troops left, militiamen immediately began to create havoc. Riding their unnumbered cars and motorcycles they began to make the towns, markets, and villages unsafe again,” a listener reported to Radio Dabanga from Kutum.

 

Woman shot dead in front of North Darfur prison

February 6 – 2017 KABKABIYA

On Saturday afternoon, a woman was killed in front of the Kabkabiya Women’s Prison in North Darfur. Another woman was seriously wounded.

A relative of one of the women told Radio Dabanga that a group of 20 women prisoners that would be transferred from the Kabkabiya Women’s Prison to a prison in El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, on Saturday.

“The families of the prisoners gathered in front of the prison peacefully protesting the transfer, when government troops suddenly began shooting at them. Igbal Adam Fadul was killed instantly. Munira Abakar Somit sustained serious bullet wounds and was taken to a hospital in Kabkabiya,” he said.

The women were transferred to El Fasher by air later that day.

They were convicted for illegally brewing alcohol, with penalties ranging from six months to a year.

 

Unamid vehicle hijacked during Sudan V-P’s visit to North Darfur

February 8 – 2017 KUTUM

A vehicle belonging to the Unamid peacekeeping mission, which was part of the convoy escorting Sudan’s Second Vice-President Hasabo Mohamed Abdelrahman during his visit to Kutum locality in North Darfur, was briefly hijacked by militants on Tuesday. A contingent of the Sudanese army managed to recover the vehicle later.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that a group of militants driving a land Cruiser and others riding motorcycles stormed the vehicle, which was accompanying a parade of the second vice president, who was on his way to open a health centre at El Zariba district east of Kutum.

During the attempt to escape the attackers, the Unamid vehicle became stuck in the sand. The gunmen forced the driver out of the vehicle, released it from the sand, and drove off.

A contingent of the Sudanese army who were also part of V-P Abdelrahman’s escort managed to recover the vehicle later. There were no reports of any casualties.

 

Bandits scourge North Darfur roads

February 8 – 2017 HILLET AHMED

Armed bandits have struck twice in separate incidents of highway robbery at Hillet Ahmed near Tabit in North Darfur over the past two days.

Hillet Ahmed is on the main road between the North Darfur capital of El Fasher and the South Darfur capital of Nyala.

In both cases, the bandits included ‘men wearing military uniforms’.

On Monday, passengers on a bus travelling from Shangil Tobya to Zamzam camp near El Fasher were robbed of all of their valuables.

On Tuesday afternoon, a vehicle carrying 14 passengers was intercepted by gunmen driving a Land Cruiser.

One of the passengers told Radio Dabanga that five gunmen – two wearing military uniforms – took all the passengers’ money. Mobile phones, and luggage and left in their Land Cruiser.

 

Theft of water engines causes crisis in Tabit, North Darfur

February 8 – 2017 TABIT

Tabit in Tawila locality, North Darfur, has been experiencing an acute water shortage after militiamen stole two of the three engines required to bump water from the wells.

The only remaining engine is now operated by government forces, but this has caused water prices to rise sharply.

One of the residents of Tabit told Radio Dabanga that the shortage is so acute that some families have considered leaving the area and moving to Shangil Tobaya or Zamzam.

The residents of Tabit appealed to the Governor of North Darfur, the Tawila Commissioner, and Unamid to immediately intervene t3 militiaFeb 16 2017o resolve the water problem.

 

Three herders shot in Darfur’s Jebel Marra

February 10 – 2017 FANGA / TAWILA

Three herders were killed in Fanga in North Darfur’s Tawila locality on Wednesday evening. People in Tawila handed a memorandum to Sudan’s second vice-president, demanding improved services and security.

A relative of one of the dead told Radio Dabanga that seven armed men, riding camels and others driving motorcycles, attacked three herders at Tamara, east of Fanga. They were grazing their cows.

“The men opened fire and shot them dead right away. They took-off with 45 cows towards El Malam in South Darfur,” the relative reported.

The dead were Abakar Yahya Eisa, 22 years old, Mustafa Hussein Haroun, 35, and Haroun Adam Gamareldin, 40 years.

Tawila memorandum

People in Tawila have demanded the provision of health, education, water and security services in a memorandum to the Second Vice-President of Sudan, Hasabo Mohamed Abdelrahman. He visited the locality on Thursday.

The memorandum writers complained about the ongoing acts of murder, kidnapping and theft by militiamen. The memomrandum reads that that the residents cannot lead normal lives because of the attacks by militias when they go out to collect firewood, straw or go farming.

During his address in Tawila town, Abdelrahman emphasised the need to fight criminals and outlaws, so that they will not disrupt the daily life.

Hussein Abu Sharati, the spokesman for the Association of Displaced People and Refugees in Darfur, downplayed the importance of his call for the collection of weapons.

“The government could collect weapons if it wants through ordering the native administrations to which arms have been distributed to hand them over.”

A vehicle belonging to the Unamid peacekeeping mission, which was part of the convoy escorting Sudan’s second vice-president, was briefly hijacked by militants on Tuesday. A contingent of the Sudanese army managed to recover the vehicle later.

 

Gunmen abduct family in North Darfur

February 10 – 2017 TABIT

Three militiamen abducted a driver and his family members, and stole his vehicle on the road between Kunjara and Tabit in Tawila locality, North Darfur, on Thursday.

A relative of one of the abducted told Radio Dabanga that three militiamen intercepted their vehicle at noon. Mohamed Ahmed Abdallah was on his way with his wife and daughters from the area north of Kunjara to Tabit. The men stopped him at gunpoint and took them to an unknown destination.

Commissioner Adam Yagoub confirmed the incident and reported that a rescue team and security agents of the locality was able to recover the vehicle and the abducted family. The perpetrators managed to flee towards the mountains in the area.

The Second Vice-President of Sudan, Hassabo Mohamed Abdelrahman, visited Tawila locality on Thursday. A vehicle belonging to the Unamid peacekeeping mission, which was part of the convoy escorting Abdelrahman, was briefly hijacked by militants in Kutum on Tuesday. A contingent of the Sudanese army managed to recover the vehicle later.

 

Trader killed, five men kidnapped in North Darfur’s Tawila

February 14 – 2017 TAWILA

A merchant was shot dead in Tawila locality in North Darfur on Saturday. Five firewood collectors were kidnapped in the locality on Monday.

“Trader Haroun Ismail was killed by gunmen riding camels on the Tawila-Tabra road,” Omda Mukhtar Bosh, coordinator of the Tawila camps for the displaced told Radio Dabanga.

“He was on his way with his three donkeys loaded with foodstuffs he intended to sell in Tawila town, when the janjaweed intercepted him. They shot him dead, seized his food, and fled.”

Bosh said that Tawila locality Commissioner Adam Yagoub sent a force that managed to restore the stolen items. “Unfortunately, they were not able to seize the killers.”

Kidnap

A group of armed men kidnapped five people from the area of Hashaba, south of Tabit on Monday. They demand a ransom of SDG10,000 ($1,525) for their release.

A relative of one of the victims told Radio Dabanga that Abdelazim Haroun, Ibrahim Mousa, Abdelrazag Yousef, Abdallah Kharif, and Adam Haroun were on their way with their carts to the area of Teira west of Hashaba to collect firewood when they were ambushed.

“Militiamen driving in a Land Cruiser mounted with a Dushka machinegun stopped them. They forced them at gunpoint to get into their vehicle and took them to an unknown destination,” he said.

“The kidnappers called us not much later, and asked each family to pay SDG2,000 for the release of their relative.”

He said that the families refused to respond to the kidnappers, and have reported the incident to the military garrison of Tabit.

 

Sudan Tribune

Unknown gunmen kill woman in North Darfur

February 14, 2017 (KHARTOUM) – A woman was killed on Monday evening after three gunmen attacked a group of women in an attempt to rape them in Barbogat area, some 20 kilometers west of North Darfur capital, El-Fasher. A relative of the victim by the name of Ahmed Adam told Sudan Tribune that the “slain woman, Nafisa accompanied by four women went to collect firewood from a nearby valley at 1:00 pm (local time) on Monday”, saying three gunmen on camelback “appeared suddenly and attempted to rape them”.

He added the women resisted the attackers with all their strength, saying one of the gunmen “stabbed the 34 years old Nafisa three times to the heart with a knife and killed her on the spot”. According to Adam, one of Nafisa’s companions “rushed to the army garrison in the area the army and told them the details of what happened”. Following the incident, an army force besides a group of residents from the area tracked down the perpetrators however they failed to capture them after the nightfall. Adam further pointed the body was transferred to El-Fasher hospital and charges have been filed under article 130 (premeditated murder) of the Penal Code.

 

North Darfur capital tense as army, militias clash

February 16 – 2017 EL FASHER

Armoured military vehicles, troops, and police are patrolling the streets of the El Fasher tonight following violent clashes that erupted between combined government forces and militiamen from an unnamed armed group at El Borsa exchange market today.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that the clash began at 12.30 pm, with both sides using heavy weapons, such as Dushka machineguns. At least one Sudanese army Lieutenant has been killed, and four soldiers injured, however exact casualty figures are still unclear.

All roads around El Borsa are closed. The gunfire caused panic in the market and surrounding neighbourhood, and disrupted the final exams at a nearby school.

A woman teacher at the basic school near to El Borsa market said that in the chaos created by the clash, parents began arriving at the school to collect their children. She said that the children were half way through an examination, but she had to collect the papers and let them go home.

Governor

The Governor of North Darfur, Abdelwahid Yousef, told Radio Dabanga that the current series of events began on Monday when a militiaman attempted a robbery Al Borsa market, and was killed. On Tuesday, more militiamen returned and beat-up the policemen in charge of security in the market.

Earlier today, a force comprising army, police, and security personnel moved into the market to conduct an investigation into suspicious activity. They were fired upon by the militiamen.

Governor Yousef says that the police and army now “have control of the situation”.

He confirmed that Sudanese Army Lieutenant El Tayeb Abdallah El Tayeb (pictured right) died, and four soldiers were injured.

The incident has spread fear to the main market of El Fasher, where traders are afraid of similar incidents there.

Cash heist

Trader Abubakar Ali Ibrahim trader was killed and Nour Ahmed Haroun injured in El Mahad neighbourhood in eastern El Fasher yesterday. They had drawn a large amount of cash from El Fasher market branch of the Khartoum Bank. Gunmen opened fire on them, killing Ibrahim, who was Business Director for the concerns of Halima Tibin, who is also a leader of the National Congress Party.

Radio Dabanga will update this article as soon as new facts become clear.

 

Sudan tribune

Sudanese army officer slain in El- Fasher

February 16, 2017 (EL-FASHER) – Government troops and a group of local gangsters fought a gunbattle in the east of North Darfur capital El-Fasher on Thursday, following what the authorities announced the killing of a lieutenant officer in the latest spate of shootings this week. The North Darfur government said gunfire erupted when a Sudanese government force chased the members of a gang suspected of being behind several armed attacks in the town during the past days. In press statements, Governor Abdel Wahid Youssef Ibrahim said that the State Security Committee formed a joint force including security and military elements after receiving information about the presence of the gangsters in the Boursa neighbourhood east of El-Fasher, on Thursday morning. A Sudanese army Lieutenant was killed in action and four other soldiers were wounded during the fire exchange.

Youssef further said the government forces are continuing the hunt for the gangsters, adding they identified their names and their position. He indicated that the gang is led by Issa Mohamed Ibrahim. Three people had been killed during armed attacks this week in El-Fasher. One was shot in the centre of El- Fasher on Wednesday, another one was murdered in the Boursa neighbourhood Tuesday, while the third died in Al-Thoura area south of El-Fasher.

 

North Darfur woman stabbed to death during rape attempt

February 17 – 2017 EL FASHER / KUTUM

One woman has died, and another seriously injured in separate violent incidents in North Darfur this week.

On Monday, Nafisa Suleiman Haroun (36) was stabbed to death when herders attacked a group of women with the intent of raping them. A witness said that three armed herders intercepted five women who were out to collect firewood in the Borbojat area, west of El Fasher.

“The herders attempted to rape them but the women resisted fiercely. Nafisa was stabbed during the struggle.

Abduction

On Wednesday afternoon gunmen kidnapped three women from Kutum vicinity in North Darfur before releasing them later.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that gunmen in a Land Cruiser abducted three women who went out to collect firewood at Hillat Bashar at gunpoint.

The witness said that one of the women, Zainab Abdullah, jumped out of the vehicle on the way to Damrat El Gubba, which prompted the gunmen to release the other two.

Zainab suffered fractures and injuries and was transferred to El Fasher hospital.

 

Cold wave kills in Jebel Marra, robbery in North Darfur

February 27 – 2017 JEBEL MARRA / KUTUM

The cold wave that swept East Jebel Marra in Darfur these days has caused the death of three elderly people in the area of Deribat. Armed robbers killed a student in Kutum on Saturday.

Villagers of Talba, 15 kilometers north of Deribat, informed Radio Dabanga on Sunday morning about “freezing temperatures”. They are coupled with a lack of sufficient cover against the cold.

Aisha Saleh Mohamed (66 years), Hussein Adam Ibrahim (73) and El Hadi Yagoub Haround (82) have succumbed to the extreme weather conditions in Talba.

Last December and January, seven children died because of the severe cold wave in Deribat and Souni, also in East Jebel Marra.

Deadly robbery

Gunmen assaulted Ahmed Abdallah while storming a bakery in Eldababin district in Kutum, North Darfur, on Saturday. Radio Dabanga learnt that the robbery took place at around 11pm by men wearing military uniforms.

An employee of the bakery said that the robbers tied up four of his colleagues and him, and beat to death student Ahmed Abdallah.

They subsequently stole money, mobile phones and the clothes of the bakery workers.

UXO explosion

A man and his donkey died in an explosion of a remnant of war northeast of Fanga in Jebel Marra on Sunday morning. A family member of the deceased told Radio Dabanga that Ayoub Ibrahim Yousif was on his way home from his farm when the unexploded ordnance was triggered.

Ayoub Yousif sustained serious injuries which later caused his death. The donkey was killed in the spot.

 

(Report also in West Darfur)

West Darfur students robbed, beaten

February 28 – 2017 SIRBA / KASSAB

Students in Sirba locality in West Darfur were injured after being severely beaten by militants on Sunday.

The coordinator of Sirba’s camps for displaced people informed Radio Dabanga that militiamen, riding camels, attacked a group of students who study at the Soni Institute for Holy Qur’an. The group was on its way from Tendelti to Soni.

“The attackers severely beat them with whips and rifle butts which caused them varying injuries,” according to the coordinator. The students were robbed of a total of SDG7,683 ($1,180) and three horses.

North Darfur

Gunmen attacked a displaced man in Kassab camp on Sunday evening. A listener reported to this station that Abdallah Ismail was robbed of his money and ten goats. The perpetrators robbed a number of camp residents who were nearby at the time of the incident of their mobile phones, and fled.

 

Darfur detainee speaks of brutal torture by NISS

March 2 – 2017 DARFUR / KHARTOUM

Human rights activist and head of the youth camps in North Darfur, Hafiz Idris – who has been detained by the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) since the beginning of December 2016 – has described being beaten, kicked, and tortured with electric cables in NISS detention.

In a meeting with the Darfur Bar Association at the headquarters of the state security prosecutor on Monday Hafez said that while he was in the NISS detention camp, he was kicked in the testicles until he urinated blood, and while trying to protect his testicles, he suffered damage to his fingers.

Report

In its report after meeting with Hafez the Bar Association said that he suffered psychological pressure and torture in his detention which caused him loss of the ability to see, and he was taken in that condition to record a judicial confession.

The Bar confirmed in its report that he was forced to confess that he had been to the US embassy in Khartoum with Dr Mudawi, who is also in detention (see below). Hafez believed that his confession does not constitute a crime as going to an embassy is not an offence in itself.

The Darfur Bar Association foreign relations official Abdelrahman Abulgasim told Radio Dabanga on Tuesday that “the most bizarre in this aspect is that the ruling regime in Khartoum boasts of its distinctive relations with the USA, which reveals the hollowness of its claims and allegations”.

Dr Mudawi

Activist and human rights defender detainee Dr Mudawi Ibrahim confirmed that he has not been interrogated throughout his detention which lasted from December 7 until his transfer to the state security prosecution last week.

In a meeting with the Bar Association on Monday, he said he has been questioned “with some of the issues raised not recorded in the minutes of the investigation, such as the facts of Tabit and the report on chemical weapons”.

Dr Mudawi confirmed that the NISS have attempt to link a number of Darfuri detainees with him using unfounded evidence.

He said that some of them were bullied with the intent to get confessions.

Fair trial

The Darfur Bar Association demands that the above detainees are referred to the judiciary “to ensure their legal right to defend themselves in a fair trial and the Constitutional rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights contained in the Interim Constitution 2005 especially the right not to be subjected to torture.”

The Association also called in its statement to medically examine detainee Hafiz Idris, allow him to seek urgent treatment and stop torturing him physically and psychologically.

Lawyer Abdelrahman Abulgasim, the Bar’s foreign relations official called on the  security apparatus to reveal all Darfuri detainees who were confirmed by Dr Mudawi’s statements being inside the prison and allow their families and lawyers access.

He said that the Bar also demanded an investigation into the torture of all detainees during the period of detention and take those involved in the perpetration of torture to criminal prosecution and trial.

 

North Darfur: Six wounded in robberies

March 3 – 2017 EL FASHER / KUTUM

Six people were wounded in separate incidents in North Darfur on Wednesday.

Armed herders attacked a group of firewood collectors in Rahad Jadal in Tawila locality. The gunmen beat the five displaced people, including four women, local Omda Abdelaziz Abdelrahman Juma told Radio Dabanga.

The four women were transferred to Tawila, while the wounded man was brought to El Fasher for treatment.

On Wednesday evening, bandits shot and seriously wounded Zainab Mohamed Ahmed (60 years) in her house in Korge El Hamra, half a kilometer south-east of Kutum town. The attackers attempted to steal her goats. A witness told this station that she was transferred in a coma to El Fasher for treatment the next day.

 

(Reports also in South Darfur)

Robberies in Darfur: Attacker killed, police pursuit

March 7 – 2017 KUTUM / NYALA

A violent incident in Kutum, North Darfur, resulted in the death of a militia member and eventually, the closure of the local market on Monday. A police patrol in the South Darfur capital pusued robbers on Sunday.

Two militiamen, riding motorcycles, attempted to steal the mobile phone of Eisa Ibrahim in Kutum’s market at 4pm, a listener told Radio Dabanga. Ibrahim resisted and stabbed one of the attackers with an undefined object.

Sudanese soldiers moved all three men to the police station, after which they were taken to the hospital. One of the militiamen succumbed to his wounds on the way.

Allied militiamen then arrived at the hospital in four vehicles, seized the body of their dead comrade and abducted Ibrahim, heading west from Kutum. Residents of the town closed the market on Monday as a precaution against a possible escalation of the situation.

A witness in Nyala, South Darfur, said that a police patrol pursued six thieves who broke into one of the houses in El Malaja district. They exchanged fire and the thieves fled, causing a manhunt which sparked fear among the residents. The police managed to arrest three of the men.

In a press statement, the state police chief, Balla Mohamed Hussein, called on all citizens to speed-up licensing procedures of their private vehicles until 20 March, which he believes would increase security in the town.

 

Camel driver killed, son injured in Darfur robbery

March 9 – 2017 JEBEL MARRA

Camel driver killed, son injured in Darfur robbery

A Darfur camel driver has been killed and his son seriously wounded when militants robbed them of their camels near Fallujah village north of Malam in eastern Jebel Marra on Wednesday morning.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that three gunmen, themselves mounted on camels, intercepted Ayoub Hussein Yousif and his son Adam Ayoub near Fallujah village. Yousif resisted, they shot an killed him with a bullet to the chest, and injured the 12-year-old Adam.

The Commissioner of Kabkabiya locality in North Darfur, Adam Mohammed Adam, confirmed that the road connecting camp Sortoni with the city is still closed. He explained that his locality is facing problems in health, water and education.

In a statement to the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA), he acknowledged an acute shortage of medical and education staff, especially general doctors, specialists, technicians to operate devices, teachers and seating material.

Also he complained that the Kabkabiya’s electric generators broke-down two years ago, and must still be repaired. He also called for the need to provide drinking water and veterinary services in the locality.

 

Insecurity grows at hands of militias: Kutum residents, North Darfur

March 12 – 2017 KUTUM / KASSAB

Insecurity and the number of attacks have grown at the hands of militias in Kutum locality, following a heavily guarded visit of Sudan’s Vice-President to Kutum last January.

People in Kassab camp for the displaced reported this to Radio Dabanga. An activist in the camp said that the security conditions in Kutum and in the vicinity of the camp have started to deteriorate after Second Vice-President Hasabo Mohamed Abdelrahman visited the area in January.

“Militiamen who then used vehicles and motorcycles to escort him, have spread here, and attacked civilians.”

A vehicle belonging to the Unamid peacekeeping mission, which was part of the convoy, was briefly hijacked by militants during Abdelrahman’s visit.

The activist claimed that 45 such attacks have occurred in Kutum and Kassab camp since then, including four murders, rape of women, robberies and cattle theft.

“These happened at the hands of pro-government militias. Authorities have not moved to prosecute the perpetrators, despite people filing reports about such incidents to the police.”

Health

Furthermore the residents of Kassab camp complain of the deterioration of health services and a lack of medicines. A camp coordinator told this station that all the 8,000 displaced and residents of neighbouring villages have to rely on the only health centre and few medical workers in Kassab. “This creates severe overcrowding as people go to see one of the three paramedics of the centre.”

The centre would only examine patients and refer them to buy medicines from pharmacies elsewhere. “But the majority is unable to buy medicines because of the exorbitant prices.” The coordinator expressed hope that authorities will expand the centre and send medicines, physicians and more health personnel.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Armed robberies on Khartoum pharmacies, Kutum roads

March 13 – 2017 KHARTOUM

In Khartoum, a number of crimes occurred in residential areas on Saturday, including armed robberies on pharmacies. Several car robberies took place in Kutum locality in North Darfur.

On Saturday evening, gunmen stormed a pharmacy in Khartoum’s El Lamab, owned by Dr Anas Hussein. The robbers pointed a pistol to the face of one of the employees and ordered her to hand over all the money and her mobile phone. They fired a shot in the pharmacy and then fled using a motorcycle.

A source at the police said that the incident has been the fifth incident reported to the police on Saturday alone. Local media and newspapers have recorded three similar incidents involving theft at pharmacies in several parts of Khartoum in less than one week this March.

Robberies in Kutum

Militants hijacked two vehicles in separate incidents in Kutum locality in North Darfur on Saturday. A group of paramilitaries, driving a Land Cruiser and five motorcycles, intercepted a vehicle on its way from Kutum to Anka. This is 4 km from Amu and northwest of Kutum.

The attackers seized the medicines that driver Ahmed Babikir Osman was transporting to Anka health centre. Also the properties of all the passengers in the car were stolen.

In another incident a paramilitary group in two Land Cruisers and four motorcycles intercepted a commercial vehicle loaded with goods en route from Kutum to Farok, 2 km northwest of the town. The vehicle carried sugar, oil and other food items and was driven by Mohamed Abakar.

Insecurity and the number of attacks have grown at the hands of militias in Kutum locality, residents reported to this station last week. “Authorities have not moved to prosecute the perpetrators, despite people filing reports about such incidents to the police.”

Killing in Central Darfur

In Kitul, a village east of Deleig, gunmen opened fire on Jamal Adam Abaker Daoud and Abdelaziz Adam Abdelrahman, a listener reported to Radio Dabanga. Abaker Daoud was immediately killed and Abdelaziz sustained injuries. The reason for the attack is unknown.

 

Army ambulance hijacked in Darfur’s Jebel Marra

March 16 – 2017 FANGA

An army ambulance was hijacked and another vehicle seized in actions my militiamen on Darfur roads on Tuesday.

Both cases occurred in the areas of Fanga in East Jebel Marra.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that an armed group using a Land Cruiser mounted with a machine gun and two motorcycles stopped an ambulance belonging to the armed forces on its way from Fanaga to El Fasher near Khazan Tunjor. They hijacked the vehicle with seven passengers and then headed out toward El Malam.

Callers also said said that the area witnessed another hijacking of a Nissan vehicle on Tuesday by a group of militants while it was traveling from El Fasher to Fanaga.

The incident occurred at Hujaj area, east of Fanaga. The gunmen plundered the entire load.

 

Darfur prosecutor: 35 rapes reported thus far in 2017

March 19 – 2017 DARFUR

Darfur Criminal Prosecutor, El Fatih Tayfur has revealed registering 35 complaints for cases of rape in Darfur during the first two and a half months of this year.

In a press statement, Yayfur said that most of the other crimes reported in the region are related to car theft.

 

Sudan Tribune

One killed, four injured in shooting incident in North Darfur

March 19, 2017 (EL-FASHER) – One person was shot dead and several others injured including an army officer in shooting incident Sunday in Mellit locality, 60 kilometres north of El-Fasher, North Darfur state capital. Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that a fight broke out when a trader in Mellit market was provoked by a person coming from another locality leading to the intervention of an army soldier. In statements following the incident, acting governor of North Darfur Mohamed Braima Hassab al-Nabi said the killing resulted from a brawl among a group of people in the market.

“During the fight, some of them seized the rifle magazine from a soldier and the magazine was restored and some bullets were fired into the air and two attackers have been injured,” he said. He pointed that four people were wounded in the fight, saying one of the attackers was injured and another died. Hassab al-Nabi added that an army soldier was injured while he was acting in self-defence, saying the situation in the locality is calm. He described the attackers as outlaws, saying they came from Kabkabiya locality and engaged in an altercation with a trader leading to the intervention of the army soldier.

The acting governor described the incident as “limited”, saying the commissioner and the security committee in the locality are investigating the issue to find out why the attackers came to Mellit. Last June, North Darfur governor Abdel-Wahid Youssef accused unnamed parties of seeking to keep the “insecurity and instability” situation in Darfur, pointing to “hidden hands that prompt the security chaos in all Darfur’s five states not only North Darfur”. He declared a state of maximum readiness among regular forces to control the lawlessness situation in the state and prevented riding of motorcycles, wearing of Kadamool (a turban which covers the face) and holding arms inside the capital, El-Fasher.

 

North Darfur paramilitaries clash: one killed, residents shot

March 20 – 2017 MELLIT

A member of a paramilitary force was killed and five civilians were wounded in a clash with another paramilitary force in Mellit’s market on Sunday afternoon.

A resident reported to this station that a quarrel between a member of the Border Guards and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Mellit resulted in the exchange of gunfire. The Border Guard member was killed.

Five residents were hit by bullets flying around, including market traders.

The witness said that the entire market was closed after the incident. The wounded have been taken to the hospital in the town, several seriously injured patients were transferred to El Fasher hospital.

 

Explosion near North Darfur capital wounds seven

March 21 – 2017 EL FASHER

Seven people were injured in an explosion west of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, last weekend. One of the victims is in a critical condition.

The group of locals was on its way to chase down camel thieves in Abu Nahla, west of El Fasher, the Commissioner reported to the press yesterday.

Commissioner El Tijani Abdallah Saleh called on residents to remain cautious of unfamiliar objects they come across out in the open, as they can be unexploded ordnances (UXO). He asked people to not touch such objects and report their location to local authorities.

Years of conflict have left Darfur and other war-torn areas of Sudan littered with unexploded ordnance (UXO). Radio Dabanga appeals to listeners throughout the region (and elsewhere in our reception area) not to touch any ‘unexploded’ grenades or other ammunition found in the field. Mark its position clearly to alert others, and report it immediately to a camp elder, Unamid and/or the local police.

 

(Report also in South and West Darfur)

Darfur: Merchant abducted, road robberies

March 24 – 2017 EL FASHER / NYALA / SIRBA

Gunmen abducted a man in southern El Fasher on Thursday night. The same day a man and three women were wounded in separate robberies in South and West Darfur.

Merchant Ibrahim Abdallah Osman was kidnapped from in front of his house in El Gadi district in southern El Fasher city, and taken to an unknown destination, a relative told Radio Dabanga.

At 9pm armed men arrived at his house in a Land Cruiser and took Ibrahim at gunpoint. His family has informed the police about the incident. Abdallah Osman is the owner of a grocery store in the grand market of El Fasher.

Robbery

A man and three women were seriously injured in two separate armed road robberies in South and West Darfur on Thursday.

The first incident involved a commercial vehicle driving from Kuru Kuru in El Salam locality to Nyala city. A witness in the area said that armed camel herders opened fire on the vehicle.

Three passengers, all women, were injured. The attackers stole their mobile phones, money and property.

In West Darfur, militiamen attacked a vehicle carrying gold miners from the Libyan-Sudanese border. Their vehicle came under fire in Regil Mur, east of Sirba, and the tires were shot.

One of the miners, Hasim Mohamed Omar, sustained injuries. The militiamen took off with the passengers’ mobile phones, gold detectors and money.

 

(Report also in West Darfur)

Darfur: Merchant killed, another freed from kidnappers

March 28 – 2017 FORO BARANGA / EL FASHER

A merchant travelling to Chad was killed by gunmen west of Foro Baranga on Sunday. Yesterday a store owner who was kidnapped by militiamen from El Fasher returned home.

Merchant Mohamed Adam Ibrahim was shot on his motorcycle by gunmen in Anjokti, west of Foro Baranga in West Darfur. Ibrahim was on his way to Um Dresa in Chad in the afternoon.

One of his relatives told Radio Dabanga that the attackers stripped his dead body of the gold detector and money he carried, and stole his motorcycle.

In North Darfur, merchant Ibrahim Abdallah Osman returned to his house in El Gadi district of El Fasher on Monday. He had been abducted by gunmen since last Thursday.

The grocery store owner arrived without his vehicle, in which he was abducted. It is not yet clear whether his release came after the payment of ransom or not, a resident in the area reported.betwee

Cattle theft

About 150 sheep and goats were stolen at gunpoint in Disa, north of Kutum in North Darfur, over the weekend, a listener reported.

Witnesses said that armed men, driving a Land Cruiser, assaulted herder Abdallah Saleh who was taking livestock to graze at Disa. The perpetrators seized the animals and headed to Amo, southeast of Disa.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Mourners robbed in North Darfur hijack

March 29 – 2017 EL FASHER

On Monday, militiamen hijacked a vehicle in North Darfur and robbed the passengers of their valuables and money.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that the Toyota Hilux was carrying a group of mourners on the road between the North Darfur capital of El Fasher and Tawila.

Militiamen in two Land Cruisers mounted with machine guns intercepted them and stripped the passengers of their mobile phones, luggage, and SDG 4,000 ($600) in cash.

In East Jebel Marra, militants shot and killed 45-year-old Abdel Majeed Yousif Haroun on Tuesday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that Abdel Majeed was killed at a farm at Dolo area, 10 kilometres north of Fanaga. His is donkey and other property was stolen.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Two dead in North Darfur road robbery

March 30 – 2017 SARAF UMRA

Two people were shot dead and two others were wounded in an armed robbery on the road between Saraf Umra and El Sareif Beni Hussein in North Darfur on Tuesday.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that five gunmen wearing military uniforms and riding motorcycles opened fire on a commercial vehicle taking people home after shopping. Yousif Idris Jumaa and Mohammad Fadl Mudwi died on the spot, while Yahya Ibrahim Haroun and Eisa Ibrahim Musa were injured.

In Central Darfur, militants shot dead Abdelatif Adam Abdeljabbar and wounded Adam Musa near Turr. A witness told Radio Dabanga that militants riding camels opened fire on a number of people on their way from Kalwa area in Western Jebel Marra to shopping which led to the death of Abdelatif and seriously wounding of Adam who was taken in a coma to Nierteti Hospital.

He said the militants then stole the shoppers’ money and killed five donkeys.

 

Six die in Jebel Marra militia raid

March 31 – 2017 FANGA

(UPDATE 31/03 19:30) The bodies of four missing people were found today, raising the death toll of an attack by militiamen near Fanga on Wednesday to six.​

Two people were already confirmed to be killed in an attack in the vicinity of Tuwa Shalal, a water well southwest of Fanga in East Jebel Marra, at 9am. Militiamen on camels and horses attacked a group of people who were driving their cattle to the well.

They opened fire on them and immediately killed Swar El Zahab Abdelmajid Saleh and Mohamed Adam. Four others, including the girl Samir Mohamed Yahya, were wounded.

Witnesses said that the gunmen made off with dozens of cows, camels, sheep, chickens and donkeys.

On Friday, a rescue team consisting of relatives of the four people who went missing during the attack, discovered their bodies near Juha, about 2 kilometres from the water well. Their bodies showed marks of torture and bullets.

Their names are Samir Mohamed Musa (19), Farah Sadig Nur (20), Ramadan Mohamed (25), and Musa Yousif ‘Dudu’ (75 years).

 

Robbery attempt leaves four dead in North Darfur

April 5 – 2017 KUTUM

Two displaced men, as well as their two attackers, have died following an attempted robbery near Kutum in North Darfur on Monday.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that two armed men riding a motorcycle intercepted two brothers who were riding another motorcycle on the road from Kutum to Kassab camp for the displaced.

They tried to steal the brothers’ motorcycle and one of the gunmen opened fire on the outskirts of Kassab camp. Ali Ibrahim Ismail was killed and his brother Hamada Ismail was wounded in the legs.

Hamada then stabbed one of the gunmen several times and killed him instantly, while the other gunman was seized and severely beaten by residents of the camp.

He said that an army force intervened. They took Hamada and the wounded gunman to Kutum hospital, but both died of their wounds.

 

Bandits scourge Darfur’s roads

April 6 – 2017 RAHAD MANNAN / MERSHING

Several people have been injured in separate incidents of banditry across Darfur this week.

Yesterday, militants opened fire and wounded Hussein El Nagar in order to steal his motorcycle at Rahad Mannan area on the road between Fata Borno and Kutum in North Darfur.

In a separate incident in the same area yesterday, militants intercepted a vehicle owned by Adam Fadil while it was on its way from Kutum to Fata Borno. They plundered the goods on the vehicle and robbed the passengers of their money and mobile phones.

Mershing

In North Darfur, a paramilitary group opened fire and seriously wounded higher secondary school teacher Abuzar Ahmed Adam, and Abdelgader Mohammed Hassan of Mershing on Tuesday.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on both victims who were seriously wounded and taken to Nyala Hospital.

He said that a local rescue team managed to arrest the alleged perpetrators and hand them over to Mershing police.

 

Militiamen hold North Darfur displaced to ransom

April 6 – 2017 KUTUM 

A paramilitary group is holding Omdas of Kassab camp to ransom, after two of their members died in an alleged attempted robbery on Monday.

The two militiamen died after allegedly attempting to steal a motorcycle from two brothers by force on Monday. One of the brothers and one militiaman died on the scene, while the second brother and the second militiaman died their wounds in Kutum hospital; the brother of gunshot wounds and the militiaman from injuries received during a severe beating from Kassab camp residents.

One of the Sheikhs of the camp told Radio Dabanga that on Tuesday a meeting at Kutum military garrison was held between 15 of the Omdas and the militiamen about the incident, but they refused to talk about the incident and forced the sheikhs to immediately pay SDG 100,000 ($15,000) ‘blood money’ in cash.

One of the Sheikhs said they paid SDG 70,000 ($10,500) in cash and when they went to pay the rest of the money on Wednesday, they were surprised that the group demanded another SDG 100,000 to be paid-off immediately. The militia then too two Omdas until they pay the full amount. They also threatened to kidnap Omdas and Sheikhs, and pillage and burn the camp in case of non-payment of the blood money.

 

Abducted Jebel Marra herders found dead

April 7 – 2017 KHAZAN TUNJUR

Seven people were killed in Khazan Tunjur in North Darfur’s Tawila locality after they had been kidnapped for their cattle.

Cattle thieves had kidnapped the seven nomads after stealing 150 of their animals near the water well in Tuwa Salal last March. The perpetrators, believed to belong to Abdel Wahid El Nur’s rebel forces, attacked the members of the nomadic Arab tribe in the east of El Aradeib El Ashara. They shot and killed two nomads.

A witness in the area reported to Radio Dabanga this week that the seven kidnapped nomads were found dead and handcuffed, with gunshot wounds, in Tamra, west of Khazan Tunjur. The dead are Ibrahim Yagoub Saleh, Abaker Hamed Adam, Mubarak Younis, Adam Khater Ibrahim, Yousif Saleh Haroun, Eisa Daoud Juma, and Ahmed El Ghali Suleiman.

He added that the group of attackers in March drove in two Land Cruisers, rode seventeen camels and two motorcycles.

 

Displaced man abducted in North Darfur

April 9 – 2017 KUTUM

A resident of the Kassab camp for the displaced in North Darfur’s Kutum locality was abducted on Monday.

“A group of gunmen attacked Haroun El Taher when he was returning with straw he had collected from the area west of the camp,” a resident of Kassab camp reported to Radio Dabanga on Friday.

“They burned the straw and took Haroun at gunpoint with them to an unknown destination,” he said.

 

North Darfur: Two dead in attacks on Jebel Marra villages

April 10 – 2017 TAWILA

Two people were killed and six others wounded in attacks by gunmen on villages in north-east Jebel Marra in North Darfur’s Tawila over the weekend.

A resident of El Gabas village told Radio Dabanga that an armed group driving two four-wheel drive vehicles, accompanied by others riding camels and horses raided El Gabas, 25 kilometres west of Katur in Tawila locality, on Friday.

“They began shooting. Yousef Haroun (52) and Mahjoub Saleh (42) were killed instantly,” he said. “All the villagers sought shelter in the valleys. The janjaweed then left, taking with them most of our livestock.”

The source said that the same group of militants attacked the village of Rogoli, not far from El Gabas on Saturday. “Yousef Hussein (32), Adam Yagoub (28), and Ahmed Bakhit (18) sustained bullet wounds. All the cattle and donkeys were stolen from the village.”

On Sunday, the same men attacked the area around Falluja village, 20 kilometres south of Katur, a listener reported to this station. “Omda Mohamed Omar, Salem, and Maryam Juma were shot. The attackers took the sheep, goats and donkeys from the village.”

 

Soldiers beat, torture water delegation in North Darfur

April 12 – 2017 TABIT

Four people, including a policeman and a member of the Popular Defence Forces were severely beaten and tortured by military personnel in the military garrison at Tabit in North Darfur on Tuesday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that residents of the area protested as the military garrison monopolises the only water engine in the area; civilians were prevented from drawing drinking water for most of the week which caused thirst to them and their livestock.

They pointed out that on Tuesday the area water committee asked the army to allow the residents to draw water and to organise it, but the soldiers saw this as interference in their affairs. They allegedly assaulted and beat four members of the water committee and took them to the military garrison.

Callers told this station that the soldiers beat and tortured the head of the Tabit water committee, Abdelaziz Juma (35), his brother Zaki Juma (32), an unnamed member of the Popular Defence Forces, a 35-year-old policeman Taha Abdelkarim, and Abdullah Saleh (42) for two hours and then released them in critical condition.

They said the villagers took them immediately to El Fasher for treatment.

 

Stock thieves murder North Darfur farmer

April 14 – 2017 SARAF OMRA

A North Darfur farmer was shot and killed near Saraf Omra in North Darfur on Tuesday, while perusing gunmen who stole his sheep.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that a group of armed men riding motorcycles stole sheep from the compound of Adam Musa Hassan. When he perused them to retrieve his sheep, they opened fire and killed him instantly.

A rescue posse of local residents managed to apprehend two of the alleged culprits, who were handed to the local police

 

Call to shut-down North Darfur militia leader’s ‘court’

April 14 – 2017 SARAF OMRA

A number of people from Saraf Omra locality have complained to Radio Dabanga about the violations and abuses of one of the militia leaders in the area named Ahmed Khater who imposes fines and royalties on people through a random ‘kangaroo court’.

Khater also reportedly confiscates property. The latest incident involved assault on Haroun Fadl Ahmed who was beaten and tied to a tree trunk. Residents told this station that when they approached the director of Saraf Omra prison to file a complaint against him, he refused, saying that he has no authority to do so.

They called on the Governor of North Darfur to end the violations and abuses of Ahmed Khater and close-down his ‘court’

 

North Darfur governor to take measures against violence

April 16 – 2017 KUTUM

The Governor of North Darfur will shortly announce a number of measures to put an end to the continuing violence against people in Kutum and El Waha localities”.

Governor Abdelwahid Yousef met with the commissioners, security committees, and native administration leaders of Kutum and El Waha localities on Thursday, and with leaders of the Kassab camp for the displaced in Kutum on Friday morning, to discuss the rampant insecurity situation and ongoing attacks on camp residents in the area.

Head of Kassab camp Sheikh El Tahir Ismail told Radio Dabanga that the camp elders briefed the governor on the renewed deterioration of the security situation and the continuation of attacks on the camp residents.

“The most recent incidents concerned the killing of two youths in the camp, and militiamen forcing the displaced to pay blood money in cases where the displaced had to use violence to defend themselves and their property”.

The camp leaders as well pointed to the absence of the judiciary in the area. “There are no judges, prosecutors, or even enough policemen in Kutum.”

The governor responded by saying that he would soon “issue orders to deter the outlaws”. He further promised to arrange for two judges in Kutum, “so that all criminal cases will be brought to justice instead of civilians settling blood money cases by themselves”.

The camp sheikh further said that the governor promised them “to seek to solve the problem of the water and food shortages at the camp”.

In March, residents of Kassab camp reported that the security situation in Kutum and in the vicinity of the camp deteriorated even more since January, after Sudan’s second vice-president visited North Darfur.

The militiamen who escorted the vice-president, spread in the area and began to attack civilians. An activist reported about 45 violent incidents in Kutum and Kassab camp between January and March, including murders, rapes, robberies, and cattle rustling.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur/Jebel Marra)

Three abducted in North Darfur, Jebel Marra

April 21 – 2017 KABKABIYA / KATUR

Armed men abducted three people in separate incidents in North Darfur and East Jebel Marra on Wednesday and Thursday. One of the victims is a lawyer.

On Wednesday evening, six militants kidnapped lawyer Abdelrahman Abdallah from Kabkabiya in North Darfur and took him to an unknown destination. A witness told Radio Dabanga that the perpetrators drove a Land Cruiser and on motorcycles, when they attacked Abdallah who was on his way to his house in El Amiriya district.

She said that the militants forced him out of his vehicle at gunpoint, put him into theirs and drove off to an unknown destination. The incident was reported to the police and the African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission (Unamid).kabkabiya

The following morning armed herders abducted two farmers, El Hadi Ibrahim and Yousif Haroun, from Katur in eastern Jebel Marra (Tawila locality in North Darfur). A listener told this station that three herders on camels attacked Ibrahim and Haroun while they were tilling their farm. People who witnessed the incident have informed the military forces stationed at Katur’s garrison.

 

(Report also in South Darfur)

Thirst growing in Darfur camps

April 23 – 2017 SORTONY / ZAMZAM / GIREIDA

Displaced living in the Sortony and Zamzam camps in North Darfur complain about a severe drinking water shortage. Residents of the Gireida camps for the displaced in South Darfur suffer from thirst as well.

Several displaced told Radio Dabanga from Sortony that two weeks ago the number of water tankers carrying water to the camp was reduced from 17 vehicles per day to two vehicles, resulting in a severe water crisis for the about 63,000 people in the camp.

“We cannot afford to buy water for SDG5 ($0.70) per jerry-can, sold by the owners of the donkey carts,” a camp resident said. “And when we leave the camp to get water from a well, we more often than not are assaulted by militiamen.”

In the Zamzam camp, south of the north Darfur capital El Fasher, people also complain about shortages of drinking water and high prices.

A Zamzam camp elder told this station that 39 of the 79 pumps in the camp are not operating. He expressed his fear that “Our thirst may become fatal in the summer, when the water level in the wells decreases, and it will be more difficult to collect enough water.”

He said that the price of drinking water doubled recently. “We now pay SDG30 ($4.20) to have a water tank filled.”

In Gireida in South Darfur, the price for a barrel of water has risen from SDG12 to SDG20 ($2.80), a resident of the Forika camp reported. “Since last Sunday, five of the water pumps in the camp have stopped working because of a lack of fuel.”

He called on the South Darfur authorities and humanitarian organisations to provide fuel to the camps.

 

Fighting, bombing resumes in Darfur’s Jebel Marra

April 23 – 2017 JEBEL MARRA

On Saturday, 17 militiamen were reported killed in clashes between Sudanese government forces and rebels of the Sudan Liberation Movement, headed by Abdelwahid El Nur (SLM-AW) in Jebel Marra. The Sudanese Air Force bombed villages in north-west Jebel Marra on Saturday and today.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, SLM-AW spokesman Ezzeldin Sambala, reported that government forces launched an attack on the area of Torantora, one of the movement’s strongholds in Jebel Marra on Saturday morning.

He said that the SLM-AW combatants managed to repel the attackers. “We inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. 17 militiamen were killed, among them Lance-Corporal Hamdan Mohamed Eisa.”

Bombing

The Sudanese Air Force bombed at least 15 villages in the area between Maya in Kabkabiya locality and Aja in northern Jebel Marra were bombed on Saturday and Sunday.

“It is unclear yet how many people were killed and wounded,” Hussein Abusharati, spokesman for the Darfur Displaced and Refugees Association told this station.

“The explosions set fire to many houses in the villages,” he said.

“What is required now is urgent action by the United Nations,” the camp leader added. “They should pressure Khartoum to stop the indiscriminate aerial bombardments of civilians in Darfur, that only causes more displacement.

“We further call on humanitarian organisations to immediately intervene, and provide aid to the thousands of villagers who fled into the wilderness without being able to take anything with them.”

After a relative calm for months, the Sudanese air force dropped three barrel bombs on the area of Jawa in the eastern part of Jebel Marra on 6 April. The latest bombing occurred in October, weeks after renewed fighting had broken out between government forces and SLM-AW combatants.

 

Darfur herders injured, cattle stolen in Jebel Marra

April 24 – 2017 JEBEL MARRA

Two herders were wounded in a cattle rustling incident in the eastern part of Jebel Marra on Saturday.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a relative of the victims reported that a group of gunmen in a Land Cruiser, and others riding motorcycles and camels attacked a number of nomad settlements in the area of Falluja, south of Dubbo El Omda, on Saturday evening.

“Yousef Haroun Ibrahim and Abdelmowla Adam Haroun were hit by their bullets,” he said. “The janjaweed then left, taking 41 cows and two donkeys with them.”

 

‘No voluntary return in insecure Darfur’: displaced to US

April 25 – 2017 EL FASHER

People in Zamzam camp for displaced people in North Darfur complained that the security and humanitarian situation in the camp is very bad. They told a United States envoy that militiamen occupy their home farms; voluntary return is out of the question.

A delegation from the office of the US Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Paul Steven, arrived at Zamzam, south of El Fasher, to meet with Sheikhs, leaders and youth and women representatives. Zamzam is one of the largest camps in Darfur.

The coordinator of the camp told Radio Dabanga that the delegates asked them about the security and humanitarian situation, in addition to the possibility of voluntarily returning to their home areas. Steven said that security problems remain despite “the relative improvement” in the situation in North Darfur.

In a press statement he urged the Sudanese government to take control of the militias and protect its citizens, along with granting the AU-UN hybrid peacekeeping mission (Unamid) and aid agencies freedom of movement. Making progress on the human rights situation in Sudan is of upmost importance, he added.

Attacks

The security situation in the vicinity of Zamzam is very bad, youth and women representatives said. Armed men and militia members attack people who go outside. Meanwhile residents have witnessed a reduction of the food ration cards and a deterioration of the health situation.

The envoy’s office wanted to assess the situation on the ground in Darfur to present a full report on the situation in Sudan in July, the month set by the US Government to review the progress in the country and ease economic sanctions and a trade embargo that have been in place against Sudan since 1997.

Earlier this month the military attaché of the US embassy in Sudan visited North Darfur for a briefing by the State Governor. Sudanese media reported that Military Attaché Jörn Pung said he witnessed great developments in North Darfur. A week later the embassy said the US ‘encourages close cooperation among the Government of Sudan, United Nations, and native administrations’.

 

North Darfur schoolgirl (13) survives brutal rape

April 27 – 2017 KABKABIYA

A 13-year-old schoolgirl has been admitted to the Unamid hospital in Kabkabiya with serious injuries after being raped and stabbed in a vicious attack, allegedly by a militiaman, at 3 pm on Tuesday.

A relative of the victim told Radio Dabanga that Fadna Adam Mohamed and her 10-year-old sister, who live in Kabkabiya camp for the displaced, were collecting firewood at Bir Jongu, north of Kabkabiya.

“The sisters were attacked by a militiaman, who first raped Fadna, and then stabbed her twice with a knife in her genitals, causing internal injuries.”

The doctor’s report from Unamid’s Mongolian Level II Hospital in Kabkabiya, obtained by Radio Dabanga (see right), confirms the rape and knife injuries to her vagina and bladder, which led to internal bleeding.

While the rape has been reported, no suspect has been named, and no arrests have been made.

Report

According to a report by the Sudanese Ministry of the Interior last week, Sudan witnessed 348 rape cases during one year, and 43 of these cases were reported in Darfur. Meanwhile the Darfur Criminal Prosecutor El Fatih Taifour reported last month nearly 40 complaints of rape in 2017 alone.

 

(Report also in South Darfur)

Two dead, seven injured, Imam beaten in Darfur militia attacks

April 27 – 2017 DARFUR

Two people died, seven – including two children – were injured, and three others are still missing after a night attack by armed militants on Mura and Barkoro areas west of Katur in eastern Jebel Marra. The Imam of a village mosque was beaten by bandits in South Darfur.

One of the survivors told Radio Dabanga that militants on camels and horses attacked both areas on Tuesday night, instantly killed two people, and wounded seven others, including Yousif Ibrahim Adam, Ali Mohamed Haroun and Aisha Seifeldin.

He said the attackers plundered cash, property, about 1,500 head of cattle, and then headed towards El Malam area of South Darfur.

Imam beaten

On Monday, militants attacked Birka Toli village of Abu Ajoura administrative unit in South Darfur and beat the Imam of the Haroun El Haj mosque.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that on Monday militants on camels and horses attacked the village during Maghreb prayer, opened fire in the air before they began to attack the worshipers. They stole cash, more than 18 mobile phones, and plundered Dr Adam’s pharmacy.

 

UXO blast kills young North Darfur camel herder

April 28 – 2017 TABIT

The detonation of an item of unexploded ordnance has killed a 14-year-old herder as he grazed his camels in North Darfur on Thursday.

A relative of the dead child told Radio Dabanga that El Fadel Ibrahim Saleh was grazing his camels at Khor Mali west of Tabit in North Darfur.

The suspected grenade, which was buried in the sand, was triggered by one of the camels.

The boy and two camels died instantly.

Years of conflict have left Darfur and other war-torn areas of Sudan littered with unexploded ordnance (UXO). Efforts are underway to attempt to clear some areas, but it is suspected that many more unexploded grenades and munitions lie buried in the sands of Darfur.

Just this week, the West Darfur government declared Foro Baranga locality ‘free of landmines and unexploded objects’ after an engineering team of El Wehdat National Organisation conducted a comprehensive survey of the locality during which more than 260 war remnants were found.

Radio Dabanga appeals to listeners throughout the region (and elsewhere in our reception area) not to touch any ‘unexploded’ grenades or other ammunition found in the field. Mark its position clearly to alert others, and report it immediately to a camp elder, Unamid and/or the local police.

 

Deadly ambush, ‘foreigners bussed-in’ in North Darfur’s Gallab

April 30 – 2017 GALLAB

A displaced woman was killed, her sister was injured, and five others went missing in an ambush in Gallab near El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, on Friday. A number of African families reportedly arrived in the area on Thursday.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a Zamzam camp elder said that a group of gunmen attacked seven women of the camp in the area of Gallab, south-west of El Fasher, on Friday afternoon.

“The women were collecting straw in Gallab, when the janjaweed suddenly appeared and began to shoot them. Maryam Osman Eisa was killed instantly and her sister Umeldur was injured,” he said. “The five other women disappeared.”

He said that two search parties were formed, one by Zamzam camp elders and another by Adam Jadeed, Commissioner of Tawila locality, “to hunt down the perpetrators”.

Foreigners

People living in the area of Gallab reported the arrival of seven lorries from El Geneina, capital of West Darfur, on Thursday. The vehicles carried “foreigners with their families, who were hosted at the school of Gallab and its health centre”.

They said that a lorry arrived from El Fasher on Friday, carrying food for the newcomers, whom they believe came from Chad, Central African Republic, Niger, and Mali.

“Militant foreigners who arrived in the past years threatened to beat and kill anyone who goes out to collect straw and firewood or cultivate their lands,” one of the sources said.

Straw collectors shot, stabbed in Darfur village

May 1 – 2017 FALLUJA

Two women were injured in an attack by herders near Falluja village in eastern Jebel Marra on Sunday.

“Three herders riding camels shot Sara Abakar Yousef and Um Kaltoum Saleh Yahya when they were collecting straw not far from Falluja on Sunday afternoon,” a relative of the victims told Radio Dabanga.

“Their donkeys were killed instantly. Um Kaltoum sustained a bullet wound, and one of the janjaweed stabbed Sara’s hand with his dagger,” he said.

The herders told the women that the attack was their punishment “for not following up clear instructions. They say that we are not allowed to collect straw, because these lands have become pastures for their livestock.”

 

(Report also in West Darfur)

Deadly robbery, abduction in West and North Darfur

May 2 – 2017 DALMANJA / TAWILA

A man was killed in a robbery in West Darfur on Monday. Militiamen abducted a merchant in Tawila locality on Saturday.

Arbab Suleiman was murdered in his house in Dalmanja, West Darfur, on Monday morning. A relative of Suleiman told Radio Dabanga that three gunmen stormed his house and shot him dead. He said that the motives for the attack are unknown.

In Tarni, in North Darfur’s Tawila locality, militiamen abducted merchant Adam Hari Hussein on Saturday. Omda Mukhtar Bosh told Radio Dabanga that the attackers took Hussein while he was on his way from Fanga in East Jebel Marra back to Tawila.

“They rode four camels and a donkey, and took him to an unknown destination.” A local rescue team went out looking for Hussein but could not find him.

At the beginning of April, the handcuffed bodies of seven nomads, who had been kidnapped by cattle thieves in March, were found shot dead in Khazan Tunjur in Tawila locality.

Trucks with families

Meanwhile, Omda Mukhtar Bosh reported that a truck carrying a number of families from Kabkabiya and Saraf Omra arrived, guarded by militants in six Land Cruisers mounted with Dushka machine guns. The convoy stayed at Kulgi, south of Tawila, on Wednesday.

Bosh said the militants sent the locals away and prevented them from collecting straw, firewood or fetching water. “They said that Kulgi has become liberated and warned them not to return to collect straw, firewood or go to farming.”

Last weekend a local source in Gallab, West Darfur, reported to Radio Dabanga that “Militant foreigners who arrived in the past years threatened to beat and kill anyone who goes out to collect straw and firewood or cultivate their lands”. Militant foreigners had arrived in Gallab together with lorries carrying their families.

 

North Darfur: Two abductions in broad daylight

May 5 – 2017 KORMA / KUTUM / NIERTETI

Gunmen abducted three people in separate incidents in North Darfur on Friday. A man has been arrested a week after his release in Nierteti, Central Darfur, today.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that militiamen, riding camels, abducted two people in Korma at gunpoint and took them away.

In Dunkolat, 10km south of Kutum, four gunmen kidnapped Abdu Adam Omar Nureldin after he left the Friday prayers at the mosque. They lifted him in his vehicle and drove off.

Man re-arrested

A relative of the recently released Yousef Adam Abdelshafi told Radio Dabanga today that the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) in Central Darfur has arrested him again. The reasons for both his arrests remain unknown.

Abdelshafi was arrested the first time on 16 March from the market of Nierteti, and released on 18 April. “A week later he disappeared, and his family went looking for him everywhere. They learned that the NISS had re-arrested him.”

In Sudan, the NISS usually does not inform the families of detainees about their arrest – they are notified about it after a prosecutor files a case against the detainee when he or she is considered a suspect. The relative of Abdelshafi said that his family worries that Abdelshafi is subjected to bad treatment or torture by NISS agents, in order to force him to admit committing a crime.

 

Again, farmers abducted in North Darfur’s Tawila

May 8 – 2017 TAWILA

Two farmers were abducted by unknown gunmen in Tawila locality on Sunday.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a farmer reported from Mashrou Abu Zeid, east of Katur in Tawila locality, that he and other villagers were cultivating their farms, when four armed men driving a Land Cruiser intercepted them.

“They ordered us to immediately leave the area, because they are liberated lands,” he said. “Abdelmajid Yousif and Mahjoub Suleiman objected, which prompted the militants to force them at gunpoint to embark their vehicle. They then left with them to an unknown destination.”

On 20 April, farmers El Hadi Ibrahim and Yousif Haroun were abducted in the area of Katur by three armed herders on camels. The incident was reported to the commander of Katur garrison.

Farmers and firewood collectors in the area repeatedly complain of assaults by gunmen from Darfur or western Africa, who tell them they do not have the rights to use “the liberated land”. Darfur displaced as well complain about “new settlers” from among militiamen in Darfur or neighbouring countries occupying their villages and farms.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Robbery: man killed, mother and children abducted, Central Darfur

May 9 – 2017 NIERTETI / KORMA

Gunmen killed a man and abducted a woman and her two children as they returned from shopping in Central Darfur on Sunday evening. Four people abducted on Friday in Korma, North Darfur, have not yet been released by their captors.

The incident took place as a group of people, including Idris Suleiman Hamid, a woman and her children returned from shopping in Mara to Nierteti in the evening. Four gunmen, riding horses, dispersed the group by opening fire into the air, a witness told Radio Dabanga on Monday.

Hamid was killed by an injury to his head. The attackers took the women and her two children, and 15 donkeys that were carrying goods. The whereabouts of the abducted people are unknown.

Korma abduction

Last Friday, gunmen driving four Land Cruisers kidnapped four men from the market in Korma. Sources in Korma and Kutum told Radio Dabanga that the victims are taken to Amo, west of Kutum, for unknown reasons.

The abducted people are Adam Mohamed Saleh from Dembi village, Ibrahim Mohamed Abdallah Jeldak, Ibrahim Ali Ahmed from Kiro, and Abdallah Abakar from Tila. One of the relatives of the kidnapped expressed concern that they might be tortured or ill-treated.

Last Friday, information reached this station that two people were abducted from Korma market but updated reports state another two men were abducted.

 

UN-Khartoum team probes needs of displaced in Sortony, Darfur

May 9 – 2017 SORTONY

A United Nations field visit to Sortony site in Kabkabiya concluded that more water, health, and security services are required for the people who have been displaced from the Jebel Marra area during the armed conflict in the beginning of 2016.

The joint mission of the UN and the Government of Sudan on Monday was led by UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Marta Ruedas, and the Commissioner-General of Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission, Ahmed Mohamed Adam.

Mission members met leaders of the displaced community, people who fled from the Jebel Marra Massif in the first half of 2016 when it was the scene of aerial bombardments and large-scale fighting between armed movements and Sudanese government and militia forces. In total, an estimated 138,000 people from Jebel Marra were displaced as of 31 March 2016.

According to the UN, their number has reduced to 21,500 people who are registered and currently reside at the site adjacent to the base of the UN-African Union peacekeeping mission (Unamid). They are mostly in need of nutrition, health, water, education, and protection, the second joint field visit this year found.

Water tankers

Last month, a number of displaced people in Sortony told Radio Dabanga that the severe drinking water shortage was caused by the reduction of the number of water tankers carrying water to the camp: from 17 vehicles per day to two vehicles. “We cannot afford to buy water for SDG5 ($0.70) per jerry-can, sold by the owners of the donkey carts.

“And when we leave the camp to get water from a well, we more often than not are assaulted by militiamen,” a camp resident said.

Tens of thousands of litres are trucked in to Sortony and other camps in the state: organisations such as Oxfam and Unicef trucked in 198,000 litres of water during one week last November. Militiamen, however, sporadically blocked or imposed fees on tankers to Sortony in October and September.

Coordinator Ruedas said upon completion of Monday’s visit that “it comes within the overall context of the constructive collaboration between Sudan’s HAC and the national and international humanitarian aid community in the country, and offered an opportunity to examine the quality of assistance being provided to the 21,500 people living in Sortony area.”

Unamid Deputy Joint Special Representative, the Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Sudan as well as the North Darfur Health Minister representing the Governor of North Darfur and other federal government officials from Khartoum joined the delegation on Monday.

 

Sheikh foresees ‘humanitarian disaster’ as thirst grips North Darfur camp

May 10 – 2017 SORTONY

Sortony camp for the displaced in Kabkabiya, North Darfur, is heading for a ‘humanitarian disaster’ unless a solution is found for the water crisis that has lasted more than two months.

One of the camp Sheikhs told Radio Dabanga that the price of a tin of water has soared to SDG 6 ($0.90).

He pointed out that the displaced in the camp are currently receiving drinking water from Kabro and Goli areas, which entails a six-hour round trip on the backs of animals.

He said there are four water tankers operating once a day for to bring water to the camp which houses more than 22,000 displaced people.

The Sheikh says he foresees “a severe humanitarian disaster by the end of the summer unless the authorities and organisations resolve the problem”.

UN field visit

A joint United Nations-Sudanese government field visit to Sortony on Monday, led by UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Marta Ruedas, and the Commissioner-General of Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission, Ahmed Mohamed Adam, concluded that more water, health, and security services are required for the people who have been displaced from the Jebel Marra area during the armed conflict in the beginning of 2016.

Last month, a number of displaced people in Sortony told Radio Dabanga that the severe drinking water shortage was caused by the reduction in the number of water tankers carrying water to the camp: from 17 vehicles per day to two vehicles.

 

Couple slain in North Darfur

May 16 – 2017 KABKABIYA / MURNEI / KUTUM

A man and his wife were killed in their house in Kabkabiya, North Darfur yesterday. Two people were abducted from the market of a camp for displaced people in West Darfur on Saturday.

Three gunmen raided the house of Muna Mohamed and Abdallah Angarten in Karka district, west of Kabkabiya, at 8 am on Monday. They opened fire which killed the couple instantly. The police have been informed, a witness told Radio Dabanga.

On Saturday, armed men abducted two displaced men of Murnei camp in West Darfur. Adam Omer and El Tahir Abdallah have been taken to an unknown destination, a listener told this station. The abductors drove two Land Cruisers and seized Omer and Abdallah in the local market at gunpoint.

Camels on farms

Farmers in North Darfur’s Kutum locality have complained of herders who drive camels into their farms, sometimes threatening the farmer by force of arms. The grazing destroys the vegetables and fruit.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, farmers reported that last Saturday and Sunday, herders drove their cattle to graze on the gardens on the banks of the river (wadi) in Kutum, causing the destruction of “large areas planted with okra, watermelons, tomatoes and fruit orchards”.

They estimated the losses at thousands of Sudanese pounds, and called on the authorities to stop the herders’ activities so that they can harvest the crops.

 

Farmers shot, abducted by North Darfur herders

May 17 – 2017 DUBBO EL OMDA

Armed herders shot and wounded one farmer and abducted another as they worked their land in North Darfur on Tuesday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that Yousif Musa Abdelrahman and Abdel Majeed Yousif Ibrahim were working in Wadi Barkoro area near Dobo El Omda in Tawila locality, when the herders approached them and opened fire.

Abdelarahman was wounded in the leg. The herders then forced Ibrahim to go with them, and made off to an unknown destination.

Two farmers were abducted by unknown gunmen, also in Tawila locality on May 7.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a farmer reported from Mashrou Abu Zeid, east of Katur in Tawila locality, that he and other villagers were cultivating their farms, when four armed men driving a Land Cruiser intercepted them.

“They ordered us to immediately leave the area, because they are liberated lands,” he said. “Abdelmajid Yousif and Mahjoub Suleiman objected, which prompted the militants to force them at gunpoint to embark their vehicle. They then left with them to an unknown destination.”

On 20 April, farmers El Hadi Ibrahim and Yousif Haroun were abducted in the area of Katur by three armed herders on camels. The incident was reported to the commander of Katur garrison.

Farmers and firewood collectors in the area repeatedly complain of assaults by gunmen from Darfur or western Africa, who tell them they do not have the rights to use “the liberated land”. Darfur displaced as well complain about “new settlers” from among militiamen in Darfur or neighbouring countries occupying their villages and farms.

 

Explosion kills woman in eastern Jebel Marra

May 19 – 2017 TAWILA

A woman died when a piece of unexploded ordnance detonated in eastern Jebel Marra in Tawila on Thursday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that a grenade exploded on Thursday morning in Daba Naira, five kilometres east of Dobo El Omda. Kaltoum Yahya Ibrahim (45) was collecting straw at the moment of detonation and killed immediately.

A witness said that her body was buried at the scene of the explosion because of the severe mutilation.

Last month, a young camel herder was killed in Tabit in Tawila. Years of conflict have left Jebel Marra, other parts of Darfur and other conflict areas of Sudan littered with unexploded ordnance (UXO).

 

(Report also in East Darfur)

Sudanese govt. forces attack Minawi’s SLM rebels in Darfur

May 21 – 2017 DARFUR / KHARTOUM

Fierce fighting erupted between Sudanese government forces and combatants of the Sudan Liberation Movement headed by Minni Minawi (SLM-MM) in East and North Darfur on Friday.

According to a statement by Ahmed Khalifa El Shami, spokesman for the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) on Saturday, a joint force of army troops and members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) “confronted armed groups of mercenaries who simultaneously entered North and East Darfur from Libya and South Sudan to undermine peace and stability in Sudan”.

‘Ceasefire violation’

The rebels strongly condemned the attacks. In a statement SLM-MM spokesman Ahmed Hussein Mustafa denounced the “violation of the unilateral Cessation of Hostilities recently declared by both sides”.

He reported that the rebel forces “swiftly repulsed the attacks and inflicted the enemy forces a deserved defeat,” and stated that they “will continue to defend the innocent and helpless civilians who are under constant attack by the government militia”.

In a second statement on Saturday, the SLM-MM reported that the attacks took place in the area “south of the railway in South and East Darfur”, and in the area of Baashim in North Darfur’s Kutum.

The government forces “targeted and burned villages in these areas. They also destroyed water sources, and stole the citizens’ livestock”.

The SLM-MM further reported that the fighting so far caused “large losses to the militias and government forces and massive destruction of government vehicles. In most of these areas, all roads have been blocked to prevent them from escaping”.

According to the rebel spokesman, “These new operations are part of the plan announced by the government and its militias to forcibly displace the people living in these areas, with the aim to carry out demographic changes and replacements [of the original inhabitants]. This is also reflected in the wells that are being drilled in these areas guarded by Rapid Support militiamen”.

Last week, SLM-MM accused the Government of Sudan of preparing a full-scale war against the armed movements in North Darfur.

‘Brutal actions’

The RSF militia as well issued a statement on Saturday, in which reported that “The enemy suffered heavy losses in lives and property. It [the RSF militia] managed to capture a large number of rebels and mercenaries. It seized 20 vehicles with all its equipment, including a fuel tanker, and destroyed a large number of military vehicles belonging to the enemy”.

Spokesman Lt.-Col. Adam Mohamed Saleh further said that the rebel groups in North Darfur fled towards Libya. “Our troops are still chasing them.”

The spokesman said that “Since its inception, the RSF have been closely monitoring the brutal and aggressive actions of the mercenary rebel movements”. He accused the South Sudanese government of supporting the rebels with “logistics and extension of mercenary forces, all with the aim of undermining the security and stability witnessed in Sudan in general and in Darfur in particular”.

‘Mercenaries’

On Saturday, Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Ibrahim Ghandour, met in his office with the ambassadors of the five member states of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the Troika countries (the USA, UK, and Norway), as well as the Ambassador of the European Union to Sudan.

According to a FA statement, the Minister informed them that the Darfuri rebels whom he accused of fighting in Libya and South Sudan as mercenaries, now moved across the borders “with the aim of aborting the peace and stability achieved in Darfur, as has been acknowledged by the UN Security Council as well as the Peace and Security Council of the African Union”.

Ghandour accused the rebel movements of aiming “to drag the government to a military confrontation so as to abort the government of Sudan’s unilateral cessation of hostilities declared more than one-and-half year ago”.

He urged the UNSC member states and the international community to condemn this “hostile attack”.

 

(Report also in East Darfur)

‘More than 200 paramilitaries, rebels killed in Darfur fighting’

May 22 – 2017 DARFUR / KHARTOUM

The Sudan Liberation Movement headed by Minni Minawi (SLM-MM) claimed the killing of 214 troops of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in East and North Darfur on Saturday. The RSF say they killed the general commander of the rebel movement.

In a press statement on Saturday the SLM-MM reported that government forces attacked rebel convoys in the area “south of the railway in South and East Darfur”, and in the area of Baashim in North Darfur’s Kutum.

Mohamed Hassan, a spokesman for the SLM-MM, told Radio Dabanga on Sunday that the fighting broke out when SLM-MM forces, together with combatants of the SLM faction led by Nimir Abdelrahman, were moving in convoys in East and North Darfur,

“The government RSF militia took advantage of the ceasefire which the movement recently signed unilaterally in the presence of Unamid officials, and intercepted the convoys on Saturday.”

Hassan said that the rebel fighters of the two groups resisted the attacks. “We caused them great losses in lives and equipment. [..] The forces of the two movements managed to kill 214 Rapid Support militiamen, including Brigadier Hamdan El Simeih, tasked with guarding the northern border. Militia leader Ibrahim El Faki was captured. More than 300 wounded militiamen were transferred to the hospitals of El Fasher, Nyala, and the military hospital in Khartoum.”

The rebel spokesman further reported that they lost 15 of their fighters and four vehicles. At least 13 others were injured, and another 18 were taken prisoner. “SLM-MM Commander-in-Chief Juma Mundi went missing. He may have been captured or killed outside the battlefield which then constitutes a war crime.”

Rebel commander killed

The commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan, nicknamed Hemeti, reported the killing of SLM-MM Commander-in-Chief Juma Mundi.

He said that “The Rapid Support Forces, the Sudan Armed Forces, and other security forces have been able to defeat the remnants of the rebels who infiltrated from Libya and South Sudan to North and East Darfur. [..] The enemy has suffered great losses in lives and property, and is still being chased in all directions.”

“Our forces killed Juma Mundi, General Commander of the SLM forces led by Minni Arko Minawi, in addition to a number of others killed or made prisoner. They seized six armoured vehicles and a number of military vehicles. The lists are underway,” the militia commander reported. “The remaining rebels fled to where they came from, to South Sudan and Libya.”

Sudan Vision Daily cites “Informed sources” saying that the rebel combatants coming from South Sudan were driving 63 military vehicles, 45 of which were seized, seven were destroyed, and 11 ones are now being pursued, while the force coming from Libya came aboard 140 vehicles, about 100 of them participated in the fighting, and 50 of them were seized.

‘Annihilated’

The renewed fighting between government forces and rebels on more than one front in Darfur on Saturday triggered widespread reactions in the country and abroad, in particular as the Sudanese government has repeatedly declared that the situation in Darfur has become stable after the armed movements have been annihilated.

“The renewed fighting in Darfur confirmed that the armed conflict is ongoing, contrary to what government circles claim,” Dr Mohamed El Mahdi Hassan, Head of the Political Bureau of the National Umma Party (NUP) commented to Radio Dabanga.

He said that the NUP High Coordination Council will meet on Monday to discuss the developments. “The huge expenses for the war constitute a sensitive issue for the impoverished Sudanese people, as the increased military costs will have a clear impact on their livelihoods. Another important point is that the rebels are not bandits but citizens who have an issue and demands that must be listened to and addressed.”

The Sudanese Congress Party (SCP) as well described the renewed fighting in Darfur as “a confirmation that the war in the region has not yet ended, contrary to what the government has been repeating”.

Khalid Omar, SCP Deputy President told this station that the government has been spreading propaganda about the end of the armed conflicts in Darfur.

“We all know that Khartoum has been lying. The war erupted for obvious and specific reasons, and will not end unless the government addresses the root causes that led to the insurgency.”

He said he does not expect the war to end as long as the grievances have not been addressed.

 

North Darfur displaced clear: No safety, no return

May 23 – 2017 TAWILA 

The message of displaced people in Darfur’s camps to the international community remains the same: they refuse to voluntarily return home. A delegation of the United Nations Security Council discussed humanitarian and security issues in North Darfur camps on Sunday.

Representatives of the displaced community in Tawila locality called for the disarmament of militias, the expulsion of new settlers in the home areas of displaced people, and the provision of security in these areas, during the meeting with the UN delegation.

Omda Mukhtar Bosh told Radio Dabanga that the delegation from the UN Security Council met with around 50 representatives of the camps in Tawila camps, as well as youth and women. “Under discussion were the security situation, the voluntary return and the humanitarian situation in the camps.

“We assured the delegation that there was no security outside the camps and that the displaced people are subjected to killing, rape, and theft when they go out to collect firewood, straw, or do shopping.”

Reasons for camp residents to refuse to parttcipate in voluntary return programmes by the Sudanese government mostly involve the worsened security situation in their home areas, where militias roam or unknown people have settled on their lands.

“The expulsion of many foreign aid organisations by the Sudanese government badly affected services of education, health and water.”

The camp representatives explained that the displaced people are affected by the reduction in food rations by humanitarian organisations. The food security has deteriorated with the absence of jobs and deprivation of their daily activities of farming and cattle grazing, which is regularly impeded by armed members of militias.

Series of visits

The arrival of the UN Security Council delegation follows visits paid to North Darfur and other states by the African Union, the European Union, and the United States.

The latter wanted to assess the situation on the ground in Darfur to present a full report on the situation in Sudan in July, the month set by the US Government to review the progress in the country and ease economic sanctions and a trade embargo that have been in place against Sudan since 1997.

The Commissioner of Tawila, Adam Yagoub Jadeed told Radio Dabanga yesterday that they also discussed the possible relief of United States sanctions against Sudan. He asked the Security Council delegation to change the mandate of the AU-UN Mission in Darfur (Unamid) “as it was the Sudanese forces that were protecting civilians, not Unamid, and transferring their budget to development projects. […] The delegation welcomed the ideas that were raised.”

 

Sudan Tribune

Sudanese army captures SLM-TC rebel leader in Darfur, kills its military commander

May 23, 2017 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government forces have captured the leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement-Transitional Council (SLM-TC) Nimer Abdel Rahman and other leading rebels. Also, the group confirmed the killing of its commander Mohamed Abdelsalam (aka Tarada) during fresh clashes on Monday. The SLM-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) and the SLM-TC Monday in a joint communiqué released in the first hours of Tuesday confirmed reports about the arrest of SLM-TC leader Abdel-Rahman, as pictures of his arrest circulated in the social media during the evening.

“A number of comrades () have been captured, including Nimr Abdel-Rahman, Chairman of the Transitional Council, the military spokesperson Ahmed Hussein Mustafa (Adrop) and the Chief of Staff, Major General Jumaa Mundi Issa. All the three have been taken to an unknown destination,” said a statement co-signed by the two groups. The statement further announced the death of rebel commander Tarada, claiming he had been arrest alive but then killed with other fighters by the Sudanese intelligence. In a statement released on Monday, the two groups reported the resumption of the fighting on Sunday in Adoula area of North Darfur. They said they had inflicted heavy losses on the government forces The two group in another statement released on Monday night said the government quickly massed groups and clashed again with their forces in Adoula, adding their “comrades fought to their last shot before their capture”.

The group which splinted from the SLM-Abdel Wahid, (SLM-AW) is not part of the peace talks. Also, their difference with the SLM-AW is more organisational than on ideals. The leader of SLM-AW Abdel Wahid al-Nur on Monday evening issued an obituary for Tarada’s death who had been one of the first commanders to join his group in 2002. This is the second time, the Sudanese army and its militias stop important rebel operation in Darfur since the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

 

Arrests as RSF clamp down in North Darfur

May 25 – 2017 EL FASHER

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia has arrested at least seven people at the areas of Muzbad and Arori in Um Baru and Karnoi localities on charges of communicating with the armed movements, as part of a campaign of ongoing arrests.

On Wednesday informed sources from North Darfur told Radio Dabanga that the detainees, most of them herders, have been beaten and tortured by the RSF.

A listener told Radio Dabanga that the campaign has caused panic among the population and led to the displacement and flight of some people, fearing “a campaign of retaliation for the killing of their commander Brig. Hamdan El Simeih”.

He appealed to the authorities and human rights organisations to stop the campaigns and release the detainees who have nothing to do with the armed movements.

Call for reason

Ahmed Minawi El Digeish, the independent MP of Um Baru, Karnoi and El Tina appealed in a statement to Radio Dabanga to the government and the armed movements not to shed blood, exercise aggression on the unarmed civilians, or transfer war to villages and cities.

He called for resort to the voice of reason and solving the problem politically through negotiations not the gun. Also he called on the residents not to move away and stay in their villages and pastures

RSF commander Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan (aka Hemeti) denied during his address to the rapid support forces in Wadi Howar killing the prisoners who have been arrested in the battles of East and North Darfur in the past two days.

Yesterday the Governor of North Darfur, Abdelwahid Yousef, announced the arrival of a number of prisoners of armed movements in El Fasher after capturing them in El Taweisha, Kalimendo and Dar El Salaam localities,” most notably the head of the Transitional Council of the Sudan Liberation Movement, Nimir Abdelrahman.

He confirmed their transfer to Khartoum for trial.

The RSF claim that the battle of Wadi Howar with the Sudan Liberation Movement of Minni Minawi (SLM-MM) ended in no more than 45 minutes.

Maj. El Taj Tijani Abdallah, the commander of the rapid support forces of Kordofan sector told Sudan News Agency that the rapid support forces seized over six armored vehicles and 35 military vehicles with all its equipment from the rebels.

He said they also destroyed 25 other vehicles, two rockets and anti-aircraft SAM 7 missiles as well as two well drillers.

‘Rebel fighters don’t deserve burial’

According to the Governor of East Darfur, the bodies of slain rebel fighters should not be buried but left in the open.

In a speech on 22 May, after fierce fighting between government forces and fighters of the Sudan Liberation Movement in northern East Darfur, Governor Anas Omar called on the people not to bury the bodies of the rebel combatants but to leave them for “the birds of prey”.

“This is a natural end to those who reject peace,” he said. “If they had opted for the peace option and participated in the National Dialogue, they would by now have been accommodated in the Presidential Palace.”

He further said that the rebels are not worth to be shot. “The price of a bullet, SDG7 ($1), is worth more than a mercenary.”

Captured head of the Transitional Council of the Sudan Liberation
Movement, Nimir Abdelrahman (Picture: Government of Sudan)

Prisoners of War in El Fasher 23 May 2017 (Picture: Government of Sudan)

Armoured vehicles seized by the RSF in North Darfur claimed to be Egyptian (Picture: Government of Sudan)

RSF militiamen pose with armoured vehicles seized by the RSF in North Darfur
claimed to be Egyptian (Picture: Government of Sudan)

 

Fatal attack on Darfur convoy

May 25 – 2017 TABIT

A member of the Popular Defence Forces (PDF) was killed and 20 others injured on Wednesday in a northern district of North Darfur in clashes between the army, police, and armed militias.

Omda Mukhtar Bush told Radio Dabanga that armed militiamen driving two vehicles mounted with Dushka machine guns, six motor cycles, and others on camels and horses, attacked a commercial convoy on Wednesday afternoon, consisting of seven vehicles and a relief truck.

The convoy was on its way from the North Darfur capital of El Fasher to Tawila. They attacked the convoy at Tundabia Gate and stole about SDF 20,000 ($3,000) in cash and 60 mobile phones and corn from the relief truck.

A force emerged from a long local town and clashed with the gunmen, killing one of the Popular Defence Forces named Ezzedine Abdullah Isa, and injuring some 20 gunmen. He said government forces have not been able to recover the stolen money and property.

 

Sudan Tribune

Sudan, rebels resume heavy fighting in North Darfur

May 28, 2017 (KHARTOUM) – A new round of fighting has erupted on Sunday between government forces, and the Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) and the SLM- Transitional Council (SLM-TC), amid conflicting reports about the losses on both sides. The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militiamen clashed during four days from 19 to 22 with the SLM-MM and the SLM-TC in North and East Darfur States. The government army killed several leading rebel commanders and arrested the SLM-TC leader and other commanders.

Sudan said the SLM-MM and SLM-TC fighters came from Libya and South Sudan. Also, Khartoum accused Juba and Cairo of supporting and providing weapons to the two armed groups. The two neighbouring countries denied the accusations. Spokesperson of the RSF, Adam Salih, told the official news agency SUNA Sunday that their forces defeated the rebels at Ain Siro area in Kutum locality, North Darfur State. He pointed out that the rebel force was among those who fled the fighting in Wadi Hawar and entered the Sudanese-Chadian border, saying the RSF has been pursuing rebels fleeing last week’s battles.

Salih stressed the RSF inflicted heavy losses in lives and equipment on the rebels, saying they were able to destroy and seize a large number of military vehicles. He added that the fighting and the hunt down is still ongoing, saying the RSF is monitoring the border to pursue the fleeing rebels.

Meanwhile, in a joint statement extended to Sudan Tribune, SLM-MM and SLM-TC said government troops and RSF fighters attacked their positions at Ain Siro and the Northwest Kutum mountain range in North Darfur State. The two rebel groups stressed the government attack have been repulsed and heavy losses in lives have been inflicted on the attackers, saying more than 13 four-wheel-drive Land Cruisers vehicles loaded with heavy weapons have been burned and destroyed.

BASHIR MEETS HAMETTI

The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir Sunday evening has been briefed by the head of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, (aka Hametti) on the recent clashes with the rebel groups.

In press statements following the meeting, Hametti said he briefed the President of the Republic on the latest developments in the recent military clashes in Darfur and “the victories achieved by the army and RSF”, adding they “chased the rebels to the borders of the country”. Hametti pointed out that the government forces were able to hit the rebellion in the state of North Darfur, stressing that “Sudan will not be hurt in Darfur after today”. On Saturday the leader of Sudan Liberation Movement, Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) accused the Sudanese government of attacking their positions in the region in an attempt to impose its solution through the barrel of the gun to the 14-year conflict.

“Peace will never be achieved as long as the homeland is held hostage by the regime of the National Congress. The regime wants the whole Sudanese people to give up and stamp on a treaty whose clauses are drafted according to the victor’s terms imposed upon the vanquished,” he further said.

 

Renewed fighting between Sudan forces, rebels in North Darfur

May 29 – 2017 KUTUM

Both the Sudanese government and members of the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minawi (SLM-MM) and the SLM-Transitional Council claim victory following new fierce fighting in North Darfur’s Kutum on Sunday.

In a joint statement on Sunday afternoon, the two SLM factions reported that army troops, supported by paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked the SLM-held areas in Ein Siro and the mountains north-west of Kutum in the early morning.

“Our forces responded to the attack, and caused the enemy large losses. We managed to burn and destroy more than 13 Land Cruisers loaded with heavy weapons,” the statement reads. “At the moment of writing this statement, the clashes are ongoing.”

The spokesman for the SLM-MM, Mohamed Hassan, added to Radio Dabanga that the government offensive resulted in the displacement of a large number of people in the area.

‘Mercenaries’

The spokesman for the RSF, Lt. Col. Adam Abakar told the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) on Sunday that they managed to defeat the insurgents at Ein Siro in Kutum after causing them great losses in lives and equipment.

Last Saturday, a joint force of army and RSF troops “confronted armed groups of mercenaries who simultaneously entered North and East Darfur from Libya and South Sudan to undermine peace and stability in Sudan”, according to a statement of the Sudan Armed Forces.

The government forces took a number of the rebel fighters prisoner, among them Nimir Abdelrahman, the leader of SLM-TC, and Ahmed Hussein, the spokesman for SLM-MM. They were “shown to the public” in the stadium of Nyala, capital of South Darfur, last week. An unknown number of detained rebel fighters have reportedly been liquidated.

Call for humane treatment

The National Consensus Forces, a coalition of Sudanese opposition parties, have called on the Sudanese authorities to treat the detained rebel combatants in a humanitarian manner.

In a statement on Sunday, the coalition expressed its concern over leaked videos and pictures showing the dead and prisoners in humiliating situations.

The allied opposition called for the need to humanely treat prisoners at all times. The wounded have the right to be treated by a medical doctor “as stipulated in the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners”.

The coalition further called for speeding up the announcement of the names of the prisoners, and grant international organisations concerned access to them to check their conditions and enable them to contact their families.

 

Villagers killed after renewed North Darfur fighting

May 30 – 2017 KUTUM

Five people were killed in a raid in a rebel-held area near Kutum that witnessed renewed fighting between paramilitary forces and armed rebels on Sunday. “They attacked the area from both sides in 150 vehicles.”

Members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked Ein Siro area, north-west of Kutum at 6am on Sunday. Five people including a child were killed, while seven others sustained injuries. Two children are among the wounded.

“The residents of Ein Siro woke up terrified by the sounds of shooting and fled toward the nearest mountains,” Abdallah Ishag told Radio Dabanga. The attackers, driving approximately 150 vehicles, stole a large number of livestock and people’s property.

The Omda called this station from the top of the mountains a day after the attack occurred. “It is not easy to know the exact number of victims and the missing because people have fled in all directions. The people who have fled into the mountains, they have not had anything to eat since fleeing on Sunday.”

‘From the mountain we can see the attackers who are still down there, pillaging solar panels, medical tools, and livestock.’

According to Ishag there are about 90 villages in the area, inhabited by 40,000 people. “People of all of these villages have fled to the tops and the slopes of the mountains. Their humanitarian situation is dire.

“We cannot get off the top of the mountains to fetch water and food because the RSF militia is still deployed in the area […] We are watching them from the mountains. They pillaged solar panels, medical equipment, merchandise, utensils… and loaded them into their vehicles. Sheep, goats and other cattle are gone, too.”

The Omda appealed to Unamid and humanitarian organisations to intervene to save them. “People up here are especially at risk of dying of thirst and hunger.”

 

Barrel bombs, abduction in Darfur’s Jebel Marra

May 30 – 2017 FANGA / TAWILA

Four bombs were dropped on eastern Jebel Marra on Monday, killing a number of livestock. Gunmen abducted six people at the entrance of a village on Saturday.

The Sudanese Air Force struck an area 15 kilometres south of Fanga, near the border with Tawila locality, with four barrel bombs. No human casualties were reported but the aerial bombardment killed eight cows, three donkeys, and two goats, a resident from the area told Radio Dabanga.

The Sudanese Air Force dropped barrel bombs on the area of Jawa in the eastern part of Jebel Marra on 6 April, and Maya in Kabkabiya locality and Aja in northern Jebel Marra on 22 and 23 April.

The previous United States administration announced that Sudan has reduced military aerial bombardment in the Darfur region, among other reported improvements. The reduction is one of the reasons why President Obama decided to order the partial lifting of financial sanctions against Sudan.

This July, after a six-month review period, the US Government must decide whether the progress in Sudan is feasible to ease the economic sanctions and a trade embargo which have been in place against Sudan since 1997.

Kidnapping

In Tundobaya in Tawila locality, gunmen kidnapped six people, including Omda Bahar Mohamed Sam. They hijacked their vehicle at the entrance of Tundobaya.

A witness reported that armed men, driving two vehicles with Dushka machine guns mounted on top, boarded the vehicle at gunpoint. The victims were reportedly beaten and robbed of SDG1,000 in cash and six mobile phones, before the bandits took them in the direction of Um Jalbakh area.

 

Deadly rebel reprisal for North Darfur village attacks

May 31 – 2017 EIN SIRO

The opposition Transitional Council of Nimir leadership (SLM-TC) claims that it repulsed an attack yesterday by the government forces and militias against civilians in Ein Siro area in North Darfur.

On Saturday Dereij Adam Abdallah, the spokesman of the Transitional Council told Radio Dabanga that the movement’s forces clashed with the government forces and their militias north and west of Ein Siro.

He said the movement’s forces killed 16 government troops and militia and wounded more than 25 others, including the commander of the government forces named El Sadig Tin.

He said the fighting came in response to militia targeting of civilians, stealing their property and burning at least eight villages.

The humanitarian situation of the people of Ein Siro who fled to the mountains is dire as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continued to pursue and assault them on Tuesday.

Yesterday the Omda of Ein Siro, Abdallah Ishag, told Radio Dabanga that a number of people in east Ferning area were killed by the RSF on Monday and Tuesday, this in addition to beating them and stealing their property and food.

Death toll

He explained that they have begun conducting inventory of the numbers of victims.

He explained the rise of number of wounded at Ferning area who were shot by rapid support forces to nine people after two more were found on Tuesday. Five people are still missing.

Omda Ishag said that the people of Ein Siro who have been displaced to the mountains and lagoons are living in poor humanitarian conditions.

He pointed out that some of them have not eaten for days, and that they rely on water from wadis.

He appealed to International organisations to intervene immediately to save them from the RSF.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that the RSF continue to steal from the houses, control the water sources and torture and beat people.

They appealed to Unamid and international organisations to visit the area to assess the security and humanitarian situation.

In Khartoum MP Siham Hassan has condemned the attacks on unarmed civilians in the areas of Ein Siro, North and East Darfur that left a number of casualties and wounded unarmed people, in addition to the destruction of water sources, burning of villages and money and property theft.

Respect

Yesterday she said in an interview with Radio Dabanga the war in Ein Siro and the western Kutum mountains has continued.

She urged both sides to respect the rights of civilians during the fighting.

She also appealed to humanitarian organisations to act immediately to rescue the people who have fled to the mountains.

MP Hassan of the Liberation and Justice Movement condemned the statements made by the Governor of East Darfur Anas Omar that the bodies of the dead of the armed movements should not be buried and described them as irresponsible and representing a clear violation of religious and moral values ​​and incompatible with the Sudanese and humanitarian norms.

She has appealed to the presidency to take an immediate decision on these statements.

Also she has condemned the publication of photos and videos of the hostages and considered that as a blatant violation of international treaties and their rights.

 

North Darfur commander acknowledges ‘abuses by outlaws’

June 1 – 2017 KUTUM

The commander of Kutum Garrison in North Darfur, Brigadier El Sadig El Mahdi Abdelrahman, has acknowledged that the Ein Siro area and the surrounding villages were exposed to burning and theft by what he called outlaws whom he said “have come from all directions, especially Kutum and Kabkabiya”.

On Tuesday he said at a meeting with the native administration that he is aware of what has happened and vowed to send the joint force to stop the acts and return the stolen items to their owners.

The MP of Kutum Fata Borno constituency El Tayeb Ahmed Ibrahim, said that a joint force moved Wednesday from Kutum and stationed in three areas of Takjo, Fono and inside Ein Siro village.

The Omda of Ein Siro Abdallah Ishag said that those forces did not intervene to stop the attacks and acts of theft and robbery.

Fourth consecutive day

He pointed out that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and other militias riding motorcycles and camels have continued robbery and theft in Ein Siro areas for the fourth consecutive day.

The MP of Kutum Fata Borno constituency El Tayeb Ahmed Ibrahim, said that robbery and theft took place at Farang area on Wednesday

He said number of dead and wounded among the unarmed civilians are still being counted, along with the burning of seven complete villages and pillaging of 17.

He said in an interview with Radio Dabanga that the ongoing acts of theft, robbery and burning since the outbreak of the incidents have been carried out by many forces using vehicles, motorcycles and camels.

He called on the state and central governments to urgently provide humanitarian aid to those affected, send more troops to protect them and return their stolen property.

Unamid

On Wednesday a Unamid delegation arrived in Kutum and met with the authorities there, along with the leaders, sheikhs and omdas of Camp Kassab.

The head of the Kassab camp, Sheikh El Tahir Ismail, told Radio Dabanga that a delegation of Unamid met on Wednesday with the leaders, sheikhs and Omdas at the Kassab camp and asked them a number of questions, including whether they expect displacement of the people affected and fleeing the areas of Ein Siro and whether they can receive and host them in the event of their displacement.

He said they told the delegation they expect their displacement since they have lost all their money and property, livestock and had their houses burned and lost security.

However, he said they cannot afford to host them, because they themselves need relief.

The Association of Kutum students at universities and higher institutes described what has happened in Ein Siro area as the second genocide and called for intervention to stop the killings, theft and burning and conduct an independent investigation so as to bring the perpetrators to justice.

 

Military market shootout kills four in North Darfur

June 2 – 2017 KABKABIYA

A gunfight between a military commander and a member of his force resulted in the killing of four people, including the commander and a civilian in a market in North Darfur on Wednesday.

The exchange of fire occurred after joint force commander Mohamed Musa ‘Gamar Duda’ ordered a member of the force to not wear a kadamool (a turban covering the face).

The man refused and shot Gamar Duda, his personal guard named Saddam, and a member of the joint force who’s named Eisa Jubara. A stray bullet from the shooting killed a civilian at the market.

Kadamool are banned in the streets of towns in North Darfur, as well as the carrying of weapons by civilians, the use of a motorcycle by more than one person, and unregistered vehicles, in attempts to curb the rampant insecurity in the state.

 

No militia protection for North Darfur victims of recent fighting

June 5 – 2017 EIN SIRO

The people of four villages in the area of Ein Siro in Kutum locality in North Darfur were robbed after they responded to the appeal by the Governor of North Darfur on Thursday to return to their homes.

The villagers fled into the mountains near Ein Siro when their houses were attacked in the last week of May. On 20 May, government forces attacked a large rebel convoy in the area, after which they ransacked the village of Ein Siro and surrounding villages.

After the Governor of North Darfur told them last week that the area was safe again, the residents of four villages descended from the mountains and were attacked. “Militiamen on camels and horses intercepted them, robbed them of all their possessions, and then drove them back into the mountains,” an activist told Radio Dabanga from Kutum.

He said that there are many more villagers hiding in the mountains. “They are living in the open without access to anything. The situation requires effective and rapid action by the government and organisations.”

The activist downplayed the Governor of North Darfur’s announcement on the provision of paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to protect the people in the area of Ein Siro.

“The RSF troops are only stationed at the outer borders of the area without constituting any protection for the villages. Militant Abbala tribesmen continue to plunder villages further from the areas where the RSF are stationed.

“The property stolen from the villages of Ein Siro during and after the fighting between the government forces and rebel combatants in late May is now for sale at low prices at the markets in the neighbourhood,” he added. “On Friday, we saw stolen cows and goats for sale at the Fata Borno market and at the markets north and west of Kutum.”

 

More militia raids on Kutum villages

June 6 – 2017 KUTUM

Several villages in Kutum, North Darfur, witnessed raids by militiamen on Sunday. President Al Bashir called for ‘guarding peace in the state by force’.

Militiamen opened fire into the air before they stormed Deleba El Kabir and Deleba El Saghir in western Kutum on motor cycles and camels. Sources in the area told this station that the attackers stole money, property and livestock from villagers.

An unknown number of villagers arrived in Abdel Shakur, located north, while others fled to the nearby mountains and valleys. Reports of casualty numbers and the total amount of stolen property have not yet been verified.

Recent fighting between government and rebel forces at the end of May has caused insecurity in the locality, and villages in the vicinity of Ein Siro were raided by militiamen. The announcement of the Governor of North Darfur that the area was safe to return to last week, led to various assaults on returning villagers facing militiamen who were still roaming the area.

‘Peace which is not guarded by force, would be subject to its collapse.’

Calls for rebels’ inclusion

On Sunday, President Omar Al Bashir called on the armed movements in Sudan to renounce violence and participate in re-building the country. He said so during the first session of the National Council for Strategic Planning, which took place at the Republican Palace.

“The government’s call for lasting peace and the pursuit of it will not prevent the government from seeking to build and develop its military capabilities and defense system.”

The president added that peace which is not guarded by force, would be subject to, eventually, collapse.

 

Kutum livestock raids continue

June 7 – 2017 EIN SIRO

Reports continue to reach Radio Dabanga of raids by militiamen to steal cattle and livestock in Ein Siro area in North Darfur’s Kutum locality, which has seen repeated raids by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), riding motorcycles and camels over the past weeks.

On Monday residents told Radio Dabanga that militants stole dozens of livestock from Deleibat area.

They said a committee has been formed from the native administrations to make an inventory of the stolen livestock since the start of the incidents of Ein Siro in May. They said the committee lists 400 stolen camels and more than 2,500 sheep and goats.

Panic

The population is gripped by panic, as reports of robberies increase. Witnesses say people are robbed as they move on their own in the markets and roads.

The commander of Kutum Garrison in North Darfur, Brigadier El Sadig El Mahdi Abdelrahman, acknowledged that the Ein Siro area and the surrounding villages were exposed to burning and theft by what he called outlaws whom he said “have come from all directions, especially Kutum and Kabkabiya”.

In a meeting with the native administration a week ago, he said that he is aware of what has happened and vowed to send the joint force to stop the acts and return the stolen items to their owners.

The MP of Kutum Fata Borno constituency El Tayeb Ahmed Ibrahim, said that a joint force moved Wednesday from Kutum and stationed in three areas of Takjo, Fono and inside Ein Siro village.

The Omda of Ein Siro Abdallah Ishag said that those forces did not intervene to stop the attacks and acts of theft and robbery.

 

Sudan Tribune

10 UNAMID soldiers injured in UXO blast in North Darfur
June 7, 2017 (EL-FASHER) – Ten soldiers from the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Wednesday have been injured when their vehicle was hit by an explosion while they were on patrol.

UNAMID official spokesperson, Ashraf Eissa told Sudan Tribune that a routine patrol of peacekeepers was on its way back from the town of Al-Tina when one of its cars was hit by an explosion. He added, “it is believed that the vehicle passed over Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), after which 10 peacekeepers were injured, one seriously”. Eissa stressed the wounded have been transferred immediately to the UNAMID camp, 3,5 km from the incident scene, saying they were then flown to the Mission’s hospital in El-Fasher, North Darfur State capital.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the explosion was caused by an unexploded object,” he added

UXO’s represents great danger in Darfur region which has seen war for over a decade.

UXOs are classified as explosive weapons and include bombs, bullets, shells, grenades and land mines that did not explode when they were deployed and therefore still pose a risk of detonation, potentially many decades after they were used or discarded. Many areas of Darfur remain littered with mines and other explosives due to the protracted conflict between rebels, government forces and allied militiamen.

While the joint peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) has taken recent steps to de-mine large tracts of land, it says ongoing insecurity in the region continues to interfere with efforts to fully address the issue.

 

Peacekeepers injured in North Darfur blast

June 8 – 2017 EL TINA

Ten Unamid soldiers were injured on Monday when a bomb went off alongside a patrol vehicle in El Tina locality in North Darfur, the mission has confirmed.

The spokesman for the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (Unamid), Ashraf Eisa, told Radio Dabanga that on Monday a patrol was returning to its headquarters in El Tina when an unknown device exploded near to the vehicle, injuring 10 of the mission’s troops. One of them is in a serious condition.

He said the injured were taken to El Fasher for treatment.

On June 1, Unamid confirmed the death of a Nigerian soldier who died of wounds received in an apparent carjacking in Nyala in South Darfur.

64 soldiers have died serving with Unamid since the mission began deployment in Darfur in 2007.

 

(Report also in South Darfur)

Murder, abduction by militiamen across Darfur

June 8 – 2017 DARFUR

A man has been murdered, four abducted in two separate incidents, and 20 displaced people fired upon in incidents of banditry across Darfur.

On Thursday, Abakar Mohamed Abdallah was shot dead east of Mershing in South Darfur. One of the sheikhs told Radio Dabanga radio that armed militiamen opened fire on Abdallah as he returned to the camp after the funeral,. He was killed outright. The gunmen then made off with his donkey and other possessions.

On Wednesday, armed herdsmen abducted Adoma El Haj and Kajil Abulgasim from the Kila district north of Mershing because of a missing camel.

In a separate incident on Wednesday, armed militiamen driving a vehicle mounted with a Dushka machine gun abducted Mohamed Yagoub Ibrahim and his son Ismail from the Khitir area in eastern Jebel Marra.

Collecting straw

On Thursday, 20 displaced women were attacked by armed militiamen in Darfur, along with the killing of a number of donkeys.

Omda Mukhtar Bosh told Radio Dabanga that militiamen opened fire on the women who were gathering straw in the Mundo area south of Tawila, killing three donkeys on the spot, while the displaced women miraculously survived. Bush said militants threatened to hit, assault, and kill them if they returned to collect straw.

The security forces on Wednesday arrested mercmilitiahant Abdelmajed Abdallah Bakhit from ithe market of Kutum in North Darfur and took him their offices. A camp sheikh told Dabanga radio that members of the security services raided Bakhit, a merchant in the camp.

The sheikh expressed his fear that the victim was subjected to torture and ill-treatment by members of the security services, and appealed to the human rights organisations to intervene to release him.

Ein Siro

For the second week in a row, militiamen have continued to steal money, property, and livestock of residents of Ein Siro and the areas north-west of Kutum in North Darfur.

Residents told Radio Dabanga said that the attackers plundered Mustariha village before burning it on Tuesday.

They said the militants stole ceilings, doors and school equipment and at the same time cut mango and orange trees.

On Tuesday and Wednesday 60 displaced families arrived from Deleiba and Mustariha areas to Kutum, in addition to the arrival of other families to the Abdelshakour area.

A number of them told Radio Dabanga that dozens of families are preparing to leave, but have no means to transport their animals and vehicles.

Panic

The population is gripped by panic, as reports of robberies increase. Witnesses say people are robbed as they move on their own in the markets and roads.

The commander of Kutum Garrison in North Darfur, Brigadier El Sadig El Mahdi Abdelrahman, acknowledged that the Ein Siro area and the surrounding villages were exposed to burning and theft by what he called outlaws whom he said “have come from all directions, especially Kutum and Kabkabiya”.

 

Sudan Tribune

Nine people killed in North Darfur IDPs camp fire
June 9, 2017 (EL-FASHER) – Nine people were killed and several others injured Friday after a fire broke out at Silk camp for displaced persons in Korma area, some 50 kilometres north-west of El-Fasher, North Darfur State capital. Ahmed Abdallah, a tribal chief from the area, told Sudan Tribunethat the “fire raced through the Silk camp in Korma area, leading to the death of nine people and wounding several others with varying injuries”. He added the camp witnessed a similar fire break out last month and two times earlier, saying they don’t rule out that there are some hands that want to shut down the camp.

In February, a fire broke out at one of the neighbourhoods in the locality of Al Lait Jar Al Nabi, northeast of El-Fasher, and destroyed more than 25 houses without causing any casualties. Also, a fire broke out in one of the villages of Fata Barno in the locality of Kutum, North Darfur in late January destroying 25 houses completely.

 

Sudan Tribune

Sudan kills two rebel commanders in pursuit operations in N. Darfur
June 10, 2017 (EL-FASHER) – Government forces managed to kill two commanders from the Sudan Liberation Movement – Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) during a recent military confrontation this week in North Darfur state, a military official said on Saturday. “The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) last Thursday have killed Commander Khater Shata and Commander Adam Bakheit in a battle in Aru area, northeast of Ambro, North Darfur State, a military source told Sudan Tribune under the cover of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media. The RSF troops also “captured four rebels and seized four Toyota vehicles including three Land Cruisers and one Hilux,” he further said.

Shatta is the SLM-MM’s logistics and supply officer, while Adam Bakhit is the Movement’s deputy commander for North Darfur operations. A joint rebel force from the SLM-MM and SLM- Transitional Council fought the government troops in North and East Darfur in a series of attacks that began on 20 May 2017 in order to reach the mountainous area of Jebel Marra.

While the force that penetrated into East Darfur from South Sudan was quickly crushed, the rebels who reached North Darfur from Libya clashed first in Wadi Hawar and continued to move towards Jebel Marra before to be defeated by Ain Siro. Since, the RSF and the army have launched pursuit operations to hunt those who fled Ain Siro battlefield. The military source said the authority tracked the phones of fugitive rebels and determined their positions, adding it was the last group to escape after the battle of Ain Siro.

Following Ain Siro battle, government forces captured a number of rebel senior leaders, including the Chairman of the SLM- Transitional Council Nimir Abdel Rahman and the SLM-MM spokesperson Ahmed Mustafa Adarop.

 

Six die in North Darfur camp inferno

June 12 – 2017 KORMA 

Six people died in a huge fire that hit the Shoba camp for the displaced in Korma in North Darfur on Friday.

More than 1,000 homes burned to ashes, a camp resident told Radio Dabanga. “The people could not contain the flames with water and sand because of the strong winds.”

He said that six displaced burned to death. “19 people with burns were taken to the El Fasher Teaching Hospital.

On Sunday, officials estimated the number of people who lost their homes because of the fire at 1,001 families (about 4,385 individuals).

The camp resident appealed to relief organisations, the North Darfur government, and the joint UN-AU peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (Unamid) “to immediately and urgently mobilise relief for the hundreds of affected families now living in the open”.

He said that the reason for the fire was unknown so far. “The displaced do not rule out arson. They fear the authorities are behind the fire, to dismantle the camp and force the camp residents to return to their place of origin, regardless of the insecurity.”

Shoba camp suffered from a fire two weeks before, on Tuesday 30 April. An 8-year-old boy was killed and 300 homes with all their contents were lost. A camp sheikh at the time reported that about 100 families were living out in the open.

 

SLM-MM commanders killed in North Darfur

June 12 – 2017 KHARTOUM / UM BARU

Members of the Rapid Support Forces reportedly killed field commanders of the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minawi (SLM-MM) in Um Baru on Thursday.

Lt. Col. Adam Mohamed Saleh, the spokesman for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, told the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) on Sunday that the paramilitaries managed to hunt down and kill commanders Khatir Shatta Jallab and Abdallah Bakheet Diyar, east of Furawiya in Um Baru.

He said that after their defeat in Ein Siro in Kutum, the rebels were heading to Libya. The militia forces seized two four-wheel drive vehicles the commanders were travelling in. Five rebel combatants were captured.

The spokesman added that his forces in Kutum killed Commander Jumaa Jinnu and a number of his rebel fighters in Khazan Kurbiya.

The SLM-MM acknowledged the killing of Jallab, responsible for the movement’s logistics, and finance controller Diyar, but contradicted the version of the RSF.

“Exactly the opposite happened,” Mohamed Hassan Haroun, the spokesman for the SLM-MM told Radio Dabanga. “The government forces killed them in a cowardly way. They paid a few janjaweed in the area to ambush the rebel group and kill the commanders.”

 

Militiamen break hands of two women at North Darfur market

June 12 – 2017 TABIT

In a beating by militiamen at the market of Tabit in Tawila locality on Sunday, two women were wounded.

“The janjaweed broke the hands of Halima Mousa and Sarah Jumaa,” a vendor told Radio Dabanga.

“A group of militiamen arrived at the market in four vehicles. They took a number of commodities from the two women and refused to pay. When the women insisted they should pay, the men began to severely beat them,” he related.

The source said that the two women had both their their hands broken, and bruises all over their bodies. “They were taken to El Fasher Hospital.”

He called on Unamid “to provide protection to the people in the area”.

 

Sudan Tribune

Two killed by unknown gunmen in North Darfur
June 12, 2017 (EL-FASHER) – Two people were killed and ten others injured on Sunday by unidentified gunmen at the locality of Al-Twisha, North Darfur State. An eyewitness by the name of Ahmed Daw al-Bait told Sudan Tribune Monday that residents from the Um Katkout village were chasing gunmen who stole their cattle when they were ambushed, saying two villagers have been killed and 10 others injured. According to the eyewitness, the injured have been transferred to El-Fasher, North Darfur capital for treatment. For his part, the member of the North Darfur legislative council Sulieman Mukhtar told Sudan Tribune that a group of residents from Um Katkout have been ambushed, saying two were killed and 10 others injured, including three seriously.

Mukhtar added that additional numbers of villagers have headed to the incident’s scene, urging the authorities to protect them against any further attack. He pointed that the gunmen are unknown, calling on the security organs to hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

 

Two die as North Darfur rescue team takes fire

June 14 – 2017 TAWEISHA / SIRBA

Two people were shot dead and 10 other injured in a clash between livestock thieves and a local rescue team from Umkutkut village north of Taweisha in North Darfur on Sunday.

Sources said a group of thieves stole dozens of cattle and when a local rescue team tried to track them, it walked into an armed ambush. The resulting clash killing two and wounded ten, who were taken to El Fasher hospital.

Murder

In a separate incident, unknown gunmen murdered Yahya Karama from camp Banjadeed in Sirba locality in West Darfur in the early hours of Tuesday.

Yesterday people told Radio Dabanga from Sirba that the body was taken to El Geneina morgue.

 

Darfur displaced: ‘450 villages evacuated in Jebel Marra, Ein Siro’

June 14 – 2017 JEBEL MARRA / EIN SIRO

The Darfur Displaced and Refugees Association says that the conflict between the government and the armed movements has displaced 450,000 people and evacuated 450 villages in Jebel Marra, Ein Siro and surroundings since January 2016.

Hussein Abusharati, the spokesman for the Darfur Displaced and Refugees Association, said that the killing and looting that has recently taken place in Ein Siro and resulted in the displacement of hundreds are the best evidence of the negative effects of war on civilians.

Abusharati called on the international community to intervene to stop the ongoing war in Darfur between the government and the armed movements, extend security, bring peace and stop the displacement.

“The security situation in Darfur is worsening day by day”

“The security situation in Darfur is worsening day by day,” he said.

Abusharati accused the Unamid peacekeeping mission of standing idly by in the face of the ongoing wars in Darfur.

“The USA is also re-establishing relations with the government without caring about the situation in Darfur.”

Abusharati called on the armed movements to refrain from differences and seek unity. He also appealed to the Darfuri tribes to work together to spread the spirit of tolerance, reconciliation and pursuit of peace.

 

Herder dies, another loses legs in Darfur UXO blast

June 15 – 2017 JEBEL MARRA

A herder is dead and another lost both his legs when an item of unexploded ordnance (UXO) detonated near to the Abuzaid agricultural project in eastern Jebel Marra.

Harran Jumaa Hamed was killed instantly, while his companion Salima Ibrahim Hamdan lost both legs in the explosion at midday today, one of the victims’ relatives told Radio Dabanga.

The injured victim was transferred to a medical centre for attention.

Last month, a woman died when a piece of unexploded ordnance detonated in eastern Jebel Marra in Tawila on Thursday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that a grenade exploded in Daba Naira, five kilometres east of Dobo El Omda. Kaltoum Yahya Ibrahim (45) was collecting straw at the moment of detonation and killed immediately.

A witness said that her body was buried at the scene of the explosion because of the severe mutilation.

In April, a young camel herder was killed in an UXO explosion in Tabit in Tawila, while two brothers died in a similar blast at Rogli.

Years of conflict have left Jebel Marra, other parts of Darfur and other conflict areas of Sudan littered with unexploded ordnance (UXO). Radio Dabanga appeals to listeners throughout the region (and elsewhere in our reception area) not to touch any ‘unexploded’ grenades or other ammunition found in the field. Mark its position clearly to alert others, and report it immediately to a camp elder, Unamid and/or the local police.

 

Children missing after attack in North Darfur

June 20 – 2017 TAWILA

A number of people were wounded and four children went missing at Hashaba in Tawila locality on Sunday evening.

Armed men in two vehicles opened fire on people near Hashaba, five kilometres south of Tabit in the area known as East Jebel Marra. An unknown number of people sustained injuries, but at least two people were seriously injured. They have been transferred to the hospital in El Fasher.

Four children went missing during the attack, witnesses told this station. “People fled the gunfire to the nearby valleys and forests.”

The attackers stole livestock and property, a witness said.

 

Influx of newly displaced families to Kutum camps

June 20 – 2017 KUTUM

Hundreds of displaced families arrived from Ein Siro, the scene of recent military confrontations, in a camp in Kutum locality. The camp is marked by insecurity and a bad humanitarian situation, a camp leader said.

Displaced people in Kassab camp in North Darfur confirmed the difficulty of the security and humanitarian situation, in addition to a lack of education and health services. The head of the camp, Sheikh El Tahir Ismail, told Radio Dabanga that a delegation from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) talked with camp representatives about the security, food, health, education and water issues.

“We told them that the security situation is not settled, especially after the incidents in Ein Siro. From the start of the fighting until now, we have received 373 new displaced families, amounting to 1,428 people.”

Ismail said he expected more new displaced people to arrive from Ein Siro.

Military confrontations with armed movements were reported in Ein Siro, in north-west Kutum, starting 28 May. Areas affected by such attacks were Marla, Muzbad, Um Baru, Adoala and Arori and other areas of Karnoi locality. There are reports of arrests and forced disappearance of large numbers of civilians in these areas arrested under the pretext of communicating with the armed movements, according to a Darfur-focused documentation centre.

As one of the village elders reported to Radio Dabanga following the attack on Ein Siro, after having fled to the mountains with villagers, residents of the dozens of small villages were unable to return as militiamen “were still deployed in the area. […] We are watching them pillaging, from the mountains.”

Food

Sheikh Ismail said that they explained to the OCHA delegation that a reduction of the food rations by half has negatively impacted the lives of the displaced people. “The reduction impacts the work opportunities for camp residents.

“They may be subject to attacks when venturing out of the camp to collect straw and firewood. Also, the people face a water shortage after one of the organisations withdrew and water management was transferred to the displaced people.”

This caused the continued non-operation of 24 out of 28 water pumps, Ismail claimed, because the camp residents are unable to provide money for the maintenance.”

Classrooms

The sheikh explained to the OCHA delegation that the shortage of classrooms and construction material as straw have caused problems for children to attend classes, in addition to the shortage of books and seating material.

“Together with problems to pay their tuition fees, this has led to an increased rate of school dropout among displaced students.”

 

Driver abducted in North Darfur road robbery

June 22 – 2017 MAJZOUB

The driver of a pickup carrying passengers was abducted and his vehicle hijacked on the way to the North Darfur capital of El Fasher on Wednesday morning.

A relative of one of the passengers told Radio Dabanga that the Toyota Hilux, which was carrying passengers, was intercepted by a group of six armed militants in a four-wheel-drive vehicle in the Majzoub area, 20 km south of El Fasher.

The caller said that gunmen forced the passengers out at gunpoint, took all of their valuables, and then made-off with the vehicle and its driver.

It is not known where the militants have taken them.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

‘Rapid Support Forces attacked civilians in Darfur’: African Centre

June 25 – 2017 NEW YORK 

Between 28 May and 15 June, members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and other government sponsored militias targeted people in North and Central Darfur.

The attacks took place from 28 May-6 June 2017 in the area of Ein Siro in North Darfur, on 14-15 June in Tur and Nierteti in southern Jebel Marra. At least 35,000 people were displaced, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) states in a report on Thursday.

The attacks came after fighting broke out between the RSF, Sudan’s largest militia that stands under command of President Al Bashir since January this year, and Darfuri rebel groups. However, there is no rebel presence in any of the villages attacked, ACJPS confirmed.

Dozens of villagers were killed and others were injured in the attacks. In southern Jebel Marra, ten women were abducted from Tur on 14 June and seven men were abducted from Nierteti the next day. Their whereabouts remain unknown, raising serious concerns for their safety and well-being, as well as for the risk for sexual violence.

Ein Siro

At 6 am on 28 May, an unidentified government militia and the RSF in more than one hundred vehicles attacked a number of villages in the area of Ein Siro locality. At least 12 people were killed and ten were injured.

The following day, seven villages in Ein Siro, including Farang, Furokat, and Abdelshakour, were set on fire by members of the RSF and other militiamen on motorcycles and camels. They plundered markets and homes, and seized the livestock in 17 villages.

On 1 June, residents of four villages in Ein Siro were robbed by unidentified militiamen as they returned to their villages to check on their homes and belongings.

Three days later, the villages Dilibah El Kebeer and Dilibah El Segheer, west of Kutum, were plundered. On 6 June, militiamen attacked the markets of Delibat near Ein Siro. A number of livestock was stolen from the area on 4 and 5 June.

According to ACJPS, the entire population of the 50 villages of Ein Siro, roughly 30,000 people, have been reportedly displaced to Kutum and the surrounding mountains.

Jebel Marra

The Centre reports that at least 5,000 people were displaced by attacks by the RSF and an unidentified government sponsored militia on Tur and Nierteti on 14 and 15 June.

On 14 June, the village of Tur was raided and plundered. Three men were killed, and ten women were abducted. The women’s whereabouts are still unknown, ACJPS states.

On 15 June, a joint force of RSF, Border Guards, and militiamen riding horses and camels attacked six villages in Rokoro. They plundered the markets and homes, and seized the livestock in the area. Later that day, the same militiamen attacked the area of Nierteti area, and abducted seven men.

Investigation

ACJPS urges the Sudanese government “to immediately put in place measures to protect civilians in North Darfur and Central Darfur, and respect customary international law obligations regarding internal armed conflicts which prohibit deliberate attacks on civilians, indiscriminate attacks on civilians even where there may be armed elements amongst civilians [..]”.

Khartoum should as well repeal all legal provisions granting immunities to police officers, members of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and the RSF.

ACJPS calls on Unamid to fulfil its mandate to contribute to the protection of civilian populations under imminent threat of physical violence, and prevent attacks against civilians within its capability and areas of deployment.

ACJPS further appeals to the international community, particularly the USA, EU, and AU, “to publicly and privately press the Sudanese government to meet its legal obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law, and end deliberate and indiscriminate attacks against civilians, torture, rape and looting.

“The Sudanese government should ensure unfettered access by Unamid peacekeepers and humanitarian actors to all parts of Darfur including those most affected by conflict.”

Background

In 2015 the UN Panel of Experts on Sudan characterized Khartoum’s strategy in Darfur as one of “collective punishment” and “induced or forced displacement” of communities from which the armed opposition groups are believed to come or operate. The majority of people in Ein Siro belong to the Zaghawa tribe, while Jebel Marra is mainly populated by the Fur. Both have been “particularly targeted by the Sudanese government since the outbreak of the conflict in 2003”.

As for Sudan’s largest militia, “the RSF now functions as a regular force of the Government of Sudan, following the passage of the 2016 Rapid Support Forces Act, which integrates the RSF into the armed forces of the country, and provides for the commander of the RSF to be appointed by the President. The RSF has led a number of brutal counterinsurgency campaigns, supported by aerial bombardment, against civilian populations since their creation in mid-2013”.

In its report, the African Centre as well points to the “millions of Euros” the EU is providing Sudan “to combat migration flows from the Horn of Africa to Europe.

“These funds are likely to trickle down to Sudanese forces such as the RSF through the Government of Sudan’s administration of the fund, and be used for small arms and weapons,” ACJPS warns.

 

Gunmen expel farmers from their lands in North Darfur

June 25 – 2017 TAWILA

In Tawila locality in North Darfur, a number of villagers and displaced people have been expelled from their farms by gunmen in the area.

“We were cultivating our farms in the area of Gallab, when Shattiya Arab gunmen stormed the land, and chased us away at gunpoint,” a farmer told Radio Dabanga.

“They said that the land belonged to them, and threatened to kill us if we would return.”

The farmer added that the same happened in Kolgi.

The Commissioner of Tawila locality, Adam Yagoub Jadeed, explained to this station that differences between the villagers and the Shattiya Arab over the use of farmland, housing, and grazing appeared last year.

“Nearly 70 years ago, the Shattiya Arab left the area and went to South Darfur. They returned last year, and are claiming the land. The case has been filed to North Darfur Governor Abdelwahid Yousif who decided to invite the opponents to a meeting in the near future to solve the problem,” he said.

 

Border Guards kidnap two in Saraf Omra, North Darfur

June 26 – 2017 SARAF OMRA

Members of the paramilitary Border Guards abducted a café owner in North Darfur’s Saraf Omra on Saturday.

“At around 11 pm, elements of the Border Guards in two Land Cruisers intercepted the rickshaw Zakariya Mousa Osman had taken to return from his café to his home,” a customer reported to Radio Dabanga.

“The militiamen blocked the street, took him from the rickshaw at gunpoint, and left with him to an unknown destination. The kidnappers were led by Captain Abdallah Galeema and supported by Abdallah Hasaballah,” he said.

“This is the second abduction this week,” he added. “Four days before, they kidnapped Bahreldin Jaber Saeed from inside the town.”

The incident was reported to the police of Saraf Omra and Unamid.

The source complained about “the security chaos in Saraf Omra. Militiamen can do what they want, as there are no security forces in the area”.

 

Abduction, robbery in North Darfur

June 26 – 2017 TAWILA

On Saturday, militant herders abducted two farmers in the area of Gallab in North Darfur’s Tawila locality. The passengers of a commercial vehicle were robbed of all their belongings.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a relative of one of the victims reported that gunmen in two vehicles and others on motorcycles stormed the land Amer Yagoub Hamid and Mahjoub Suleiman Tabeldiya were cultivating, and seized them at gunpoint.

“They took them into the direction west of Tabit,” he said.

The source could not provide a reason for the abduction, although he said they expect a phone call from the kidnappers demanding a ransom.

Armed robbery

On Saturday as well, a group of gunmen riding five camels and two motorcycles intercepted a Land Cruiser carrying passengers from Fanga in eastern Jebel Marra to the Zamzam camp for displaced people near El Fasher, capital of North Darfur.

“They took all our money totalling SDG 9,000 ($1,340), our mobile telephones, and luggage, in addition to the car’s spare parts, at gunpoint, and fled,” one of the victims told this station.

 

‘Armed settlers occupy farms’: North Darfur returnees

June 27 – 2017 TAWILA

Displaced people returning to their farms in Tawila, North Darfur, encountered armed herders who prevented them from cultivating their land.

A number of returnees, including farmersfrom Abu Shouk and Zamzam camps, went to cultivate the farmlands in Garangu, Tarni, Tabit, Gallab and Kolgi, on Saturday and Sunday. Several returnees reported to Radio Dabanga that armed herders have occupied their lands and told them to leave.

“They threatened us under the pretext that the land now belongs to them and whoever wants to cultivate a land, must reach an agreement with them,” a farmer said. “Or otherwise we should return to where we came from.”

Locality commissioner Adam Yagoub Jadeed told Radio Dabanga in an earlier press statement that “the area has been in conflict over the use of land, housing and grazing since last year.

“The Shatiya Arabs left the area to South Darfur about 70 years ago, but returned to the area last year.” Jadeed said that the case was filed to State Governor Abdelwahid Yousif, who then decided to hold a meeting about the composition of the area, in an attempt to resolve the problem in the near future.

The Sudanese government has issued several announcements about the improved security situation in the region, which shows signs of a campaign to increase the numbers of voluntary returnees from the camps to their areas of origin. Reports of militiamen with their families occupying the abandoned villages and farms continue to emerge, while the majority of displaced long to return.

 

Two villagers kidnapped in North Darfur’s Tawila

June 30 – 2017 TAWILA

A group of gunmen kidnapped two villagers near Tawila town in North Darfur on Thursday.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, the coordinator of the Tawila camps, Omda Mukhtar Bosh, reported that gunmen driving a vehicle stormed the village of Kulu, 12 km west of Tawila town.

“They entered the family home of Abboud Adam Mohamed and Haroun Adam Ahmed at 7 pm on Thursday at gunpoint and took the two men with them towards Mount Sarajanat, north of Tawila,” he said.

“The family does not have a clue about the reason for the abduction,” Bosh added.

The relatives reported the incident to the police of Tawila and Unamid.

 

Herders extort farmers in North Darfur’s Tawila

July 5 – 2017 TAWILA

Militant herders told farmers in Tabit in Tawila locality that they want two thirds of the harvest. Two herders assaulted a farmer in the area on Tuesday.

“Eight armed herders in two vehicles entered Wadi Garangu near Tabit on Monday, and told us that we have to stop cultivating if we do not agree to hand two thirds of our yields to them,” one of the affected told Radio Dabanga.

On Tuesday morning, farmer Ibrahim Yagoub Mousa was injured in an attack by herders near the village of Kadarik, 5 km north of Tabit.

One of his relatives told this station that two herders on camels assaulted Mousa when he was on his way home with straw he collected in the area.

“They beat him on the head, burned the straw, and took his donkey with them,” he said.

 

Six killed in North Darfur attacks

July 9 – 2017 KABKABIYA / FANGA

Four former rebel fighters and two farmers were shot dead in two separate incidents in North Darfur last week.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, an activist reported that the bodies of four army soldiers arrived at the army garrison of Kabkabiya where they were buried.

She said that the four forces, loyal to ex-rebel leader El Sadig, aka Fouka, who signed a peace deal earlier this year with the government of North Darfur, were killed in an ambush at the Kabkabiya- Sortony road on Wednesday.

“A number of El Sadig’s troops were returning from the funeral of their commander-in-chief El Amin Toro in South Darfur’s Nierteti, when a paramilitary group started firing at them in the area of Aramba,” she reported. “Four of them, including the commander of the convoy, were killed, a number of others were wounded.”

Eastern Jebel Marra

On Thursday morning, farmers Ayoub Abakar Suleiman and Izzeldin Yousef Abakar were killed by herders in the area of Fanga in Tawila locality.

A relative of the victims told Radio Dabanga that four herders intercepted them while they were on their way to their farm near Borgo village, 15 kilometres west of Fanga in the eastern part of Jebel Marra.

“They began to shoot at them without a reason,” he said. “Suleiman died instantly. Abakar succumbed to his injuries a few hours later.”

 

Attacks, extortion against North Darfur farmers

July 11 – 2017 TABIT

Two women were attacked on farms on the outskirts of Tabit in North Darfur on Sunday.

Kaltoum Yahya Saleh and Aisha Musa Hamaa were seriously injured on the head in the attack by herders in Wadi Fagra in Tawila locality. One of their relatives told Radio Dabanga that they were attacked three herders, riding camels and wearing military uniforms.

“They asked the women to stop working and leave the farms, because they did not have the right to work there,” the relative said.

“They objected to the orders and refused to leave, after which the herders beat them over their heads with sticks.”

The women sustained serious head injuries and have been taken to a health centre. The incident was reported to the local police.

A week ago, armed men in a vehicle entered Wadi Garangu near Tabit and told the working farmers to stop cultivating the lands. A witness said that the men demanded two thirds of the yields from the farm.

 

UXO detonation leaves Darfur teen in coma

July 12 – 2017 EL FASHER

A 13-year-old Darfur boy is in serious condition at El Fasher Hospital after an item of unexploded ordnance (UXO) detonated while he was paying on Monday.

Salem Abubaker Abdelrahman was on his way to farmland with his family. The explosion occurred at El Khereiga area five kilometres south of Zamzam camp for the internally displaced in North Darfur.

The Coordinator of Zamzam camps told Radio Dabanga that the identified object exploded while Salem was playing. The blast blew-off the fingers of his right hand and caused injuries to his face.

The Coordinator said the boy had a surgery at the hospital in El Fasher where he is still bedridden in a coma.

Years of conflict have left Jebel Marra, other parts of Darfur and other conflict areas of Sudan littered with unexploded ordnance (UXO). Radio Dabanga appeals to listeners throughout the region (and elsewhere in our reception area) not to touch any ‘unexploded’ grenades or other ammunition found in the field. Mark its position clearly to alert others, and report it immediately to a camp elder, Unamid and/or the local police.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Woman beaten to death in Central Darfur

July 25 – 2017 ZALINGEI / EL FASHER

Militiamen beat a 32-year-old woman to death at her farm west of Zalingei on Sunday evening. Three farmers were attacked near a camp.\

Militants beat 32-year-old Fatima Mohamed Adam with sticks, at her farm in Mara, west of Zalingei, near the Murnei road. El Shafie Abdallah, Coordinator of Central Darfur camps reported this to Radio Dabanga. She succumbed to her injuries.

Three other farmers, including two women, were injured in an attack by bandits on their farms in Kori and Lali, west of El Hassahissa camp on the same evening. Adam Abdallah, Maryam Adam Yagoub and Azza Mohamed Yahya were wounded.

Abdallah also reported that militiamen torched tents of displaced people and drove livestock onto the farms, forcing the farmers to flee to El Hassahissa. “There is a complete absence of Unamid and the State Government here,” Abdallah said.

Hijacking

On Sunday, bandits hijacked a jeep while it was on its way from El Fasher at Kaura to Kabkabiya in North Darfur. A locality official told Radio Dabanga that the hijacked vehicle carried administrative officer Ismael Rabeh, banker Ismael Simba and was driven by Idris Bakhit.

The gunmen stopped them by force of arms, told them to disembark, seized the vehicle and left. “The officer and his companions arrived in Kabkabiya where they reported the incident.”

Related to this, the official said that a commercial convoy was stuck on the road from El Fasher to Kabkabiya because other militiamen stop vehicles and trucks here, insisting drivers to hand over SDG 1,000 ($150) before they are allowed to pass their checkpoint.

Kidnap continues

The kidnapped Zakaria Musa Osman and Bahreldin Jaber Saeedm, who were kidnapped from Saraf Umra in North Darfur before last Ramadan, are still being held and their fate is unknown, a family member of one of the victims reported to Radio Dabanga.

 

(Report also in South Darfur)

Robberies in North Darfur capital

August 4 – 2017 EL FASHER / GIREIDA

Bandits attacked and robbed three traders of their money near a bank in El Fasher on Thursday. Visitors of a market were robbed of their money and phones in South Darfur.

Masked gunmen, driving a Land Cruiser, opened fire on three cattle traders who had just left the bank in El Fasher city. They stole more than SDG10,000,000 a member of the legislative council of North Darfur, Adam Ishag Manan, told Radio Dabanga.

One of the traders was shot in the head while the other two were injured in their legs. They are in the hospital in critical condition.

Manan: “There are more acts of theft and chaos after the last Eid El Fitr, following the stability the state witnessed in the preceding period.” He noticed that more people in El Fasher have fallen victim to robberies.

In addition he reported that an armed group stole a large sum of money from people in Um Beitein, a village in El Fasher locality, on Wednesday. “Another group hijacked a vehicle owned by the government on its way to Kutum three days ago.”

Another incident involves armed men attempting to hijack an ambulance from Ghurair. “They failed to do so because the driver of the vehicle resisted the hijack.”

Robbery South Darfur

Gunmen stole the mobile phones and money of thirteen people in Gireida in South Darfur after they returned from the market in Joghana. The incident took place on the road to Magrana.

A number of gunmen stormed the house of Zakaria Douda in Joghana and stole a horse at gunpoint, a woman reported to Radio Dabanga on Thursday. On their way back they opened dense fire into the air and stole the mobile phones from five people.

 

(Report also in South Darfur)

Violence in Darfur: Shooting, abduction, robberies

August 6 – 2017 GIREIDA / TAWILA

Two farmers and their son were shot and robbed in Gireida in South Darfur on Friday. In North Darfur’s Tawila, two farmers were kidnapped and the passengers of four commercial vehicles were robbed.

“On Friday morning, three militiamen riding horses suddenly appeared at Donki Abeer Raghib, 30 kilometres north-west of Gireida,” an eyewitness told Radio Dabanga.

“They began to fire randomly at the farmers working in the area. Ali Yagoub, his wife Hawa Suleiman, and their son Adam were hit. As Ali was seriously wounded, he was taken to the Nyala Hospital, while his wife and son are being treated at the Hospital of Gireida.”

He said that the attackers stole Yagoub’s horse. The incident was reported to the police of Gireida.

Ambushed

On Thursday evening, a group of seven militiamen wearing military uniforms driving a Rapid Support Forces Land Cruiser mounted with a Dushka machinegun intercepted four Land Cruisers.

The commercial vehicles were on their way from Fanga in Tawila (eastern Jebel Marra) to the Zamzam camp for the displaced south of the North Darfur capital of El Fasher.

“The paramilitaries stopped us at gunpoint in the area of Guwa Gouno,” one of the passengers reported.

“They beat us with their rifle butts, and robbed us of our money, about SDG 13,000 ($ 1,940) in total, mobile phones and blankets. They took the spare tires of each vehicle as well.”

Kidnapped

On Friday, herders kidnapped two farmers at Dubbo El Omda in north-west Tawila.

“The herders came in two Land Cruisers and on two motorcycles, to the farms of Ibrahim Abdeljabbar and Mousa Badawi,” a relative of one of the victims told this station.

“They accused them of stealing their camels and took them with them by force to an unknown destination.”

He said that the families of the abductees gathered in front of the Dubbo El Omda army garrison, demanding the troops to hunt down the kidnappers, but the garrison’s commander told them that he is not authorised to do so, and told them to go to the Commissioner of Tawila instead.

 

UXO detonation kills herder in Tawila, North Darfur

August 8 – 2017 TABIT

An item of unexploded ordnance (UXO) detonated and killed a camel herder in Tabit, North Darfur, on Monday.

Fadil Eisa Hamed (35) died in the explosion in Jinga, 25 km south of Tabit in Tawila locality.

The relatives of Hamed, who works as a herder, explained to Radio Dabanga that the incident took place when he was letting his camels graze in the area. The blast also led to the death of two camels.

A herder was killed while his companion was seriously wounded in eastern Jebel Marra in June when an item of UXO) detonated.

Farmers expelled

On Monday, herders forced farmers in the vicinity of Tabit from their farms to let their livestock graze on the farms, a witness reported to this station.

 

Unamid human rights employee robbed in North Darfur

August 8 – 2017 EL FASHER

Gunmen robbed a UN peacekeeping mission employee in El Fasher of her vehicle and phones at gunpoint on Sunday.

Insaf Mohamed Ahmed, an employee of the human rights department of the African Union-UN Mission in Darfur (Unamid) said in a press statement to Sudanese media that she was intercepted by an armed group on her way home from work in the capital of North Darfur.

They threatened her, took her mobile phones, seized her vehicle, and fled to the northern side of El Fasher.

Insaf Mohamed is reportedly unharmed.

 

(Report also in Central and West Darfur)

ACJPS: ‘Upsurge in attacks on civilians in Darfur’

August 8 – 2017 DARFUR

There has been a marked upsurge in targeted attacks by Sudanese government forces on civilians in Darfur since May, according to the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS). The human rights monitor recorded several attacks on civilians and villages in the past months.

Government forces clashed with two rebel groups – the Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minawi (SLA-MM) and the Sudan Liberation Movement-Transitional Council (SLA-TC) – in East, Central, and North Darfur states between 28 May and 6 June. Tens of thousands of civilians were displaced during the clashes and subsequently as a result of attacks by government forces and allied militia on civilian areas, the ACJPS said yesterday.

Radio Dabanga reported in early July how hundreds of families – more than 2,000 people – fled the fighting in Ein Siro, North Darfur, and have arrived in a camp for displaced people in Kutum. The attacks in Ein Siro occurred between 28 May and 6 June and included members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and other government-sponsored militias. They fought against Darfuri armed movements – of which there is no presence in any of the attacked villages, according to the ACJPS.

Trend in attacks

In late June and early July, ACJPS documented a continuing trend of targeted attacks on civilians in Central and West Darfur. The attacks on civilians appeared to have been prompted by the earlier clashes between government and armed opposition forces, and intended to punish or otherwise intimidate civilians living in the areas of rebel activity.

On 28 June, a prominent youth activist and leader in the camps for displaced people in Nierteti, Central Darfur, was killed by an unidentified militia group in front of his home. The police refused to file a criminal complaint and the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) prohibited his family from holding a public funeral or erecting a marquee for visitation and consolation. The local hospital also refused to accept his body for an autopsy.

On 29 June, around 50 uniformed soldiers of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) fired live ammunition on the market in Golo, Central Darfur, killing eleven people, including four children. Ten women and girls were raped and several homes and shops in the market were looted. At least thirty men were arrested and taken to the nearby army garrison. Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters have since been deployed to Golo and have prevented civilians from entering or leaving the area.

On 6 July a youth activist from Tor, Central Darfur, was abducted by an unidentified militia group on the road between Tor and Kass. His body was found four days later in a remote area near Tor, with gunshot wounds to his head and chest. The police refused to issue Criminal Form 8 to document the crime and the hospital refused to conduct an autopsy.

On 9 July, the police and RSF forcibly shut down Karnidink market in El Geneina, West Darfur. One woman and two children were killed during the incident, and twelve people were injured.

Protective measures

ACJPS calls on the Government of Sudan to cease attacks targeting the civilian population in Darfur, in particular killing, sexual violence and looting committed by its armed forces and allied militia.

 

Aid vehicle hijacked in North Darfur capital ‘in front of Sudan’s V-P’

August 9 – 2017 EL FASHER / NYALA

On Monday evening, gunmen hijacked a vehicle belonging to an aid organisation in the North Darfur capital of El Fasher. The incident reportedly occurred in the presence of Vice-President Hassabo Abdelrahman, who was in the city to launch a campaign to collect weapons and arrest criminals who exploit four-wheel-drive unlicensed vehicles.

The operation was carried out by an unmarked white Land Cruiser in El Fasher in the presence of Vice-President Abdelrahman himself.

On Tuesday El Tijani Abdallah Saleh, the Commissioner of El Fasher, announced that a joint force consisting of regular forces managed to recover five stolen vehicles after days of chasing criminal gangs that had earlier hijacked them with force of arms.

He said that the same force managed to seize a Land Cruiser exploited by the gangs in theft and intimidation of the residents of El Fasher.

South Darfur

One person was seriously wounded on Monday when gunmen opened fire on a truck belonging to a foreign organisation carrying food on its way from Nyala to Gireida in South Darfur.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that a group of gunmen on camels intercepted a truck belonging to a foreign organisation at Tabeldiyat area, 40 km south of Nyala.

He explained that the truck driver refused to respond to the threats of the gunmen and continued driving. The gunmen then opened fire on the vehicle and seriously wounded teacher Adam Hamid who was taken to Nyala hospital.

 

North Darfur village evacuated in fear of armed herders

August 10 – 2017 KHAZAN TUNJUR

The residents of Gargos in North Darfur’s Tawila locality (popularly known as eastern Jebel Marra) evacuated and headed towards Khazan Tunjur on Wednesday morning after armed herders besieged the village, causing panic and horror among the population.

A villager told Radio Dabanga that on Tuesday night, 17 armed herders surrounded Gargos village north of Khazan Tunjur for two hours, ostensibly in search of cattle that they accused the villagers of stealing.

A witness said armed herders driving a vehicle, four motorcycles, and a number of camels surrounded the village and fired live ammunition into the air, causing panic and horror among the population.

They gave the villagers 24 hours to provide a financial compensation for the cattle they are accused of stealing.

 

Musa Hilal tribe opposes Darfur arms collection

August 11 – 2017 EL SAREIF BENI HUSSEIN

The Revolutionary Awakening Council, based in North Darfur, denounced the attempts of Sudan’s second vice-president to collect illegal arms from civilians in Darfur. “It clearly targets Sheikh Musa Hilal and his tribe.”

The council, headed by former Janjaweed leader Musa Hilal, accused second vice-president of involvement in a plan “to eliminate ethnic groups in Darfur”.

Senior council leader Haroun Medeikheer said in an interview with Radio Dabanga that the weapons collection campaign is clear in that it explicitly targets Musa Hilal and his tribe.

“We will not accept the campaign and will not surrender our weapons,” he said, claiming that the government’s campaign would create more tension in Darfur.

“The Sudanese government has distributed weapons indiscriminately to the militias. The weapons in Darfur today are in the hands of the militias armed by the government – not the civilians.”

Medeikheer demanded the formation of a committee from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior that would legalise weapons and coordinate the inventory of weapons and the government’s vehicles.

‘The Sudanese government distributed weapons to the militias and that’s where they are today.’

Regarding the registration and confiscation of unlicensed vehicles in Sudan’s western region, the Revolutionary Awakening Council blamed Khartoum for the spread of unregistered vehicles without number plates in Darfur. “They allowed militias to keep the vehicles they seized during the war.

“Militia members are involved in the trade of illegal vehicles. They use weapons from the government in robberies and crimes in Darfur.”

The council is politically and militarily targeted in these campaigns, according to Medeikheer. “The government seeks to eliminate Hilal by seeking to integrate its [paramilitary] Border Guards into the Rapid Support Forces, which are collecting the arms.”

Musa Hilal

Hilal heads the Revolutionary Awakening Council (RAC), an association of his combatants and native administration leaders in North Darfur. Its military commanders have taken control of the Jebel Amer gold mining area in El Sareif Beni Hussein locality. A United Nations Security Council report that links Hilal to vast gold sales in Darfur appeared in April this year.

The janjaweed leader gained notoriety after conflicts in Darfur erupted into a full-scale war in April 2003. Hilal was released from prison and tasked by the Sudanese government with the mobilisation of militiamen, who mainly targeted unarmed civilians in the region and attacked Darfur villages. Under United Nations Security Council resolution 1591 (2005) a travel ban and asset freeze are in place against Hilal.

Campaign

This month Second Vice-President Hasabo Abdelrahman announced a final campaign to collect illegal arms and confiscate unregistered vehicles in the Darfur region.

Abdelrahman said that that the Sudanese presidency granted a mandate to all its military, police and paramilitary forces to confiscate illegal vehicles as well as weapons without compensation.

Also National Umma Party leader El Sadig El Mahdi questioned the government’s ability to collect weapons and dismantle the arsenal of its allied tribal institutions, and warned of selectivity in the collection of weapons – leading to new conflicts.

“The civilians in Darfur have no weapons as only the government, its militias and armed movements fighting the government do,” rebel leader Minni Minawi of the SLM-MM added in his remarks to Radio Dabanga this week.

 

Thefts in Darfur charity centre, South Kordofan

August 15 – 2017 KABKABIYA / BABANUSA

Masked gunmen attacked a charity centre in Kabkabiya in North Darfur and seized an ambulance and a number of devices on Sunday morning.

The gunmen attacked El Masar charity development centre in Kabkabiya town, the secretary-general of El Masar, Osman Hussein Abu Bakr, informed the media. The robbers took an ambulance and a number of laptops and mobile phones.

In South Kordofan, an seven armed men robbed a group of people of their money and phones in Babanusa on Friday 11 August. A witness in Babanusa told Radio Dabanga that the robbery occurred in an area three kilometres east of the town, called Rahad Bashir.

“The attackers carried Kalashnikov and weapons, and three of them were in military uniform. All had masked their faces.” The witness claimed that they communicated in signs language without using words.

The amount of stolen money totals one million Sudanese pounds ($149,147) in addition to the stolen mobile phones of the victims.

Six other people who were also on a trip outside Babanusa rushed to return after hearing the news of the armed robbery.

“This incident is not the first of its kind in Babanusa,” the witness explained, saying that on 8 August money and mobile phones were stolen from employees at a local slaughterhouse.

“There are three police stations and a military garrison in the area. The victims have gone to the police station immediately to report the incident, but the policeman filed it as usual theft rather than armed robbery.”

 

Four die in raid on North Darfur village

August 16 – 2017 TAWILA

Four people, including two women, were wounded in an armed attack by herders on Bambani village, 15 km west of Katur in Tawila locality, in North Darfur (eastern Jebel Marra) on Monday evening.

During the attack, the herders abducted two villagers and stole a large number of livestock.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that the incident appeared to be retaliation for the alleged theft of 200 camels near the area and the escape of the culprits in the direction of Deribat in South Darfur.

Witnesses said the herders closed the road leading to Deribat which blocked all traffic coming from North and South Darfur.

Witnesses reported that the revenge attack on the village was carried out by seven Land Cruisers mounted with machineguns, along with 40 others on camels and horses.

Adam Haroun, Hawa Bakhit, and Yousif Abdelkarim, and another person were wounded in the attack.

Witnesses said that the people abducted from the village were Abdelmalik Hussein (35) and Abdelhadi Ibrahim (28).

 

(Report also in South Darfur)

Man killed, girl gang-raped in Darfur

August 20 – 2017 KUTUM / HIJEIR TONGO

On Thursday, militants shot a construction worker dead in North Darfur. A displaced girl was gang-raped and abducted in South Darfur.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a listener reported from Kutum in North Darfur that unknown gunmen “suddenly shot dead builder Jamal Yagoub Abdallah in Damrat El Gubba on Thursday”. The reason is unclear.

The source said that in another incident, goat keeper Ahmed Shumein was injured in an armed robbery in the area of Desa, north-west of Kutum.

Gang-raped

A 16-year-old was raped and abducted by five gunmen in the area of Hijeir Tongo, south of Kalma camp for the displaced near Nyala, capital of South Darfur, on Thursday.

Saleh Eisa, Secretary-General of Kalma camp, said that five masked militants riding on camels intercepted the girl and her father when they were on their way back to the camp after tending their farm.

“They repeatedly raped the girl in front of her father who they had tied with ropes, and then left, taking the girl with them.”

The incident was reported to the police of Hijeir Tono.

Eisa strongly condemned the incident, which he described as “a kind of war used by the government and its militias to humiliate and insult the displaced people of Darfur”.

He demanded the release of the victim and the arrest of the perpetrators, and called on Unamid to act to protect the displaced in the conflict-torn western region.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Farmers raped, murdered, driven from Darfur farms

August 24 – 2017 KABKABIYA / NIERTETI / TAWILA

In separate incidents this week, one woman farmer was raped near Kabkabiya in North Darfur, villagers were driven from their farms in Central Darfur, and a farmer was murdered for his donkey in eastern Jebel Mara.

A woman activist told Radio Dabanga that two militants accosted a 37-year-old woman on her farm in the Beer Jongo area north of Kabkabiya and repeatedly raped her at gunpoint on Sunday night.

She explained that two reports were filed about the incident, the first to Unamid police and the second to Kabkabiya police.

She added that the rape victim was later taken to Kabkabiya hospital.

Farmers flee

Farmers from villages around Nierteti in Central Darfur have been forced to leave their farms and flee to the town after militants opened intensive fire in those areas.

On Saturday witnesses told Radio Dabanga from the area that the events came after a large group of militants in Land Cruisers and motorcycles gathered three days ago at Khor Ramla and Kory in the area of Nierteti, claiming one of their men had been in those areas since Sunday.

Witnesses said the militants then threatened to burn the Nierteti market and the northern camp for the displaced if the missing man is not returned.

He said the militants then opened fire into the air, drove farmers from their farms at Kibe and Khor Ramla and forced them to return to Nierteti town on Wednesday.

He said that the events caused panic among the residents of Nierteti.

Jebel Marra

Farmer El Rasheed Haroun Ibrahim was shot dead by militants inside his farm at Dolo area, 10 kilometres north of Fanga in Tawila locality (eastern Jebel Marra) on Wednesday.

On Monday relatives of El Rasheed told Radio Dabanga that gunmen tried to steal his donkey but resisted, which prompted them to kill him instantly and take his donkey.

He explained that the body of the deceased was transferred to Fanaga where he was buried.

 

Displaced men abducted in North Darfur

August 25 – 2017 SORTONY

Militiamen abducted two men from the Sortony camp for displaced people in North Darfur on Sunday.

Hussein Yagoub Mohamed and Adam Idris Adam were attacked on the road southeast of Kabkabiya, between Barda and the camp where they live.

They have been taken to an unknown destination, a source in Sortony camp reported to Radio Dabanga.

Sortony, adjacent to the base of the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (Unamid), is a site where people displaced from the mountainous Jebel Marra in Darfur in early 2016 have sought refuge. Increased hostilities between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Abdel Wahid faction of the Sudan Liberation Army have forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes to other areas in the Darfur region, including Sortony.

Tensions in Sortony escalated in May last year, when herders accused members of the displaced community of stealing their livestock and demanded the return of their cattle. Armed herders then established an intermittent blockade on the Kabkabiya-Sortony road, an essential route for the provision of water and humanitarian aid.

Last year Unamid estimated that some 22,000 displaced people are at the site; community leaders put the figure at 37,000.

 

Couple attacked in Kabkabiya, North Darfur

September 5 – 2017 KABKABIYA

A man and his wife were seriously injured during a raid in their home in Kabkabiya, North Darfur, on Friday morning.

Ibrahim Khamis and his wife, both displaced, were attacked by six masked gunmen in their house in Kabkabiya. The attackers beat them with sticks and stabbed them seven times with a knife. The injuries resulted in the amputation of two fingers of the woman, a displaced woman told Radio Dabanga.

South Darfur dialogue (11 years

The Governor of South Darfur, Adam El Faki, received the recommendations of an internal dialogue held in several localities of the state. 3,150 people from South Darfur’s 21 localities participated in these conferences.

Mohamed Ahmed Haroun, the head of the Darfur Dialogue and Consultation Mechanism, said: “The conferences have affirmed development, the alternative environment for pastoralists, compulsory education and confidence in renouncing violence.”

He pointed out that the conferences moved the hostile mentality to “a mentality of peace and harmony”, this as well as the agreement of the people of the state to renounce violence, tribal conflicts.

 

(Report also in South and Central Darfur)

Darfur: Three dead, two injured in violent crimes

September 7 – 2017 KABKABIYA / GIREIDA / KUTUM / KHARTOUM

Three men are dead and a child and a youth have been injured in separate violent incidents across Darfur this week. Hamdi Osman Jofoun was shot dead at Mat Keru village west of Kabkabiya in North Darfur on Tuesday evening when he came to the rescue of a neighbour gunmen were allegedly attempting to abduct.

An activist from Kabkabiya told Radio Dabanga that on Tuesday evening three gunmen tried to kidnap Abdallah Osman from his house at Mat Keru village. He called-out to his neighbour Hamdi Osman Jofoun for help. When Jofoun intervened to save him one of the gunmen opened fire on him and killed him instantly. Bystanders managed to arrest one of the alleged perpetrators while the other two escaped.

Robbery in Gireida

In Gireida in South Darfur, Jamal Mohamed Kileish was allegedly stabbed to death by an army soldier on Wednesday.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that one of the soldiers attacked Jamal Kileish on Tuesday evening at El Salam district where he asked him to hand over his possessions. When Kileish refused, the soldier reportedly stabbed him with a knife and then took the amount of SDG 500 ($75) and his mobile phone.

He said Kileish died of his injuries at Gireida hospital on Wednesday morning.

Child injured in crossfire

On Wednesday morning, seven-year-old Adam Hassan Haroun was seriously injured when he was shot in the head in the crossfire during a clash between camp gate guards and militant members at camp Kassab in Kutum locality of North Darfur.

The camp sheikhs told Radio Dabanga that a group of militants using motorcycles exchanged fire with gate guards between the camp and Kutum. Haroun, a first-year pupil of basic school, was hit by ‘a stray bullet’.

The exchange of fire between the guards at the gate and militants has entered its fourth day in a row which caused panic among the camp residents.

Farmer dead in Tawila

In Eastern Jebel Marra, Abdeljabbar Ishag Hamid was shot dead and his son Mohamed was wounded by militants at Dolo area south of Fanga in Tawila locality on Tuesday.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that four gunmen riding camels opened fire on Abdeljabbar Ishag and his son while they were working in a farm in the Dolo area. The father died instantly while the son was seriously wounded.

The witness added that the gunmen then made-off with Ishag’s camel, two donkeys and the food stuffs in their possession.

Presidential visit

In Khartoum, the Governor of South Darfur, Adam El Faki, announced that President Omar Al Bashir will visit the localities of Shattaya, Gireida, and camp Kalma for the displaced during his visit to the state from September 21 to 22.

Governor El Faki’s statement followed a meeting with Sudan’s First Vice-President, Bakri Hassan Saleh, in Khartoum where they meeting discussed the arrangements for Al Bashir’s upcoming visit to South Darfur.

El Faki described the situation in South Darfur as “stable and experiencing a great security stability, especially after the collection of weapons”

 

Two girls raped and hospitalised in North Darfur

September 13 – 2017 TABIT

Two girls were raped near Jumeizaya in Tawila locality, North Darfur, on Monday afternoon, the father of one of the victims reported.

Two herders on camels intercepted his 11-year-old daughter and her 12-year-old companion on their way back from collecting hay near Jumeizaya, west of Tabit.

“The attackers tied up my daughter and her friend and raped them,” the father said. “Other villagers and I went to search for them and found them tied up, in a very bad health condition.”

The group carried the victims to the station of the Sudanese military intelligence in the area of Tabit. The personnel told the father to move the girls to El Fasher, where they were taken to the Saudi Hospital the same day.

 

‘Militiaman murdered my sister in North Darfur’: Daoud Hari

September 13 – 2017 UM BARU

A woman was killed in Um Baru locality in North Darfur, allegedly by a member of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, last month.

The woman from Muzbat was killed in the morning of Monday 21 August when she rode her donkey and led her seven cows out to pasture, in the northern part of Um Baru locality. When her donkey returned without her to Muzbat later that day, concerned villagers set out to find her, the New York Times quoted her brother Daoud Hari – author of ‘The Translator: A Tribesman’s Memoir of Darfur’ – today.

Her body was found four hours later. The women brought Noi’s body back to Muzbat and the men followed the tracks to the camp of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), where the base commander came out to meet them. He refused to allow them into the camp, but told them he was holding the militia man who had confessed to killing the woman.

The villagers learned that the suspected killer was a RSF soldier, who had an injury to his head from fighting the woman. Villagers and people from neighbouring towns went back to the base the next day to demand justice. The pressure led to the commander sending the suspect to El Fasher under arrest.

The victim was Noi, the sister of the Darfuri author Daoud Hari. Hari became an interpreter and guide there for aid organisations and Western journalists. In 2006, he was captured, imprisoned and tortured by the government of Sudan. With help from the United States, he was released from prison and came to America as a refugee in March 2007.

Daoud Hari in the NY Times: “Perhaps the RSF commander thought he had to act because the evidence was undeniable and he was confronted with the angry villagers. Yet there have been no news reports, either about the attack and killing of Noi, or concerning the arrest of her suspected killer. In fact, two government officials later visited the village, found and deleted pictures of Noi’s body on villagers’ cellphones, and warned the inhabitants not to speak to the media.

“We, Noi’s family, are not surprised that the government is taking steps to hide its crimes. We fear that the killer will not see justice.”

Muzbat is one of the thousands of villages that came under attack by Sudan’s army and militias in the armed conflict in Darfur since 2003. Muzbat was attacked repeatedly in 2014.

Torture

Earlier this year, Hari and Phil Cox, a British journalist, both were detained for nearly two months by the Sudanese security service in a prison, and tortured. According to Amnesty International they were beaten, subjected to electric shocks, deliberately deprived of oxygen and subjected to mock executions. Cox and Hari had been commissioned by the UK’s Channel4 TV to investigate reports by Amnesty International that Sudanese security forces had used chemical weapons against civilians in Jebel Marra between January and August 2016.

After a week spent chained to a tree in North Darfur, the two filmmakers were transferred to other Sudanese government forces and moved to Kober Prison in the capital, Khartoum, where they were held for six weeks with other detainees, including human rights defenders, dozens of whom were being held without charge.

Source: New York Times

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Crimes in Darfur: Two men killed, town surrounded

September 14 – 2017 TAWILA / JEBEL AMER / NIERTETI

A man was shot and killed in Tawila, North Darfur, on Monday. A merchant was killed in a mining area in North Darfur on Wednesday. Militiamen surrounded a village in Central Darfur for four days in a row.

Armed men opened fire on Mohammadain Idris Adam in Kulu, southeast of Tawila, in North Darfur on Monday. Omda Mukhtar Bosh, coordinator of the camps for displaced people in the area, told Radio Dabanga that the militiamen, riding camels and horses, attacked Idris Adam when he was tilling his farm. He was killed on the spot.

In Jebel Amer, the gold mining area in El Sareif Beni Hussein locality, militiamen shot and killed merchant Abdelkarim Jamaa on Wednesday morning. A witness told this station that armed men attacked Jamaa in his shop, opened fire on him, killed him instantly, stole goods from his shop and then fled.

Jamaa lived in El Jeer, a district in Nyala in South Darfur, the witness said. He was buried in El Sareif yesterday.

Meanwhile the local police announced that they will move to the mining areas in Jebel Amer, as part of a new plan to deter smugglers and curb the high rate violence. The Sudanese Minister of Minerals, Hashim Ali Salim, said that the plan should extend the prestige of the state and enforce the law.

Siege

Militiamen surrounded Tur in Niereteti locality, Central Darfur, for four days in a row, listeners told Radio Dabanga. The militiamen accuse the villagers for the loss of their livestock.

From Sunday until Wednesday, the men use camels and motorcycles to drive around and surround Tur. They told residents that the cattle thieves who stole their cows had entered Tur.

A group headed by the commissioner in Nierteti managed to talk with the militiamen and break their siege on Tur on Wednesday, however, the tension remains in the area, listeners told Radio Dabanga.

 

Sudan Tribune

One person killed by unknown gunmen in North Darfur
September 17, 2017 (EL-FASHER) – One person was killed and three others injured by unidentified gunmen in Jaber area, locality of Kutum, west of North Darfur state capital, El-Fasher, said a member of the state parliament. Member of North Darfur legislative council Mohamed Ibrahim told Sudan Tribune Sunday that gunmen on motorcycles and horseback attempted to loot cows of some herders, saying the latter had resisted the attackers. He added the gunmen fired at the herders killing one and injuring three others, pointing that the wounded have been transferred to El-Fasher Hospital for treatment.  According to Ibrahim, the gunmen looted 110 head of cows and fled to the south-west of Ganaberno area, some 40 kilometres south of Kutum.

He added that the residents have tracked down the perpetrators to retrieve the stolen cows, demanding the government to impose the state authority and control such a chaotic situation. The MP further pointed out that they wouldn’t accuse any party before the culprits are arrested, saying “so far we consider them as bandits”

 

Sudan Tribune

Gunmen kill army intelligence officer in North Darfur
September 17, 2017 (EL-FASHER) – Unknown gunmen on Saturday killed the commander of the military intelligence unit of the Sudanese army’s 21st infantry brigade in the locality of Kabkabiya, North Darfur state. A military source at the 21 st infantry brigade told Sudan Tribune on the condition of anonymity that two gunmen on a motorcycle attempted to loot a shop in downtown Kabkabiya.

He pointed out that the shop owner exchanged fire with the gunmen, saying one of the gunmen was injured and have been transferred to Kabkabiya hospital for treatment. According to the source, the commander of the military intelligence unit Omer Mohamed al-Toum Dora’a was killed while he was investigating the looting incident. He added the local security forces managed to apprehend one of the perpetrators, saying charges have been filed against him at the police station in Kabkabiya locality headquarters. In September 2016, the tribes residing in Kabkabiya signed a document to enhance peaceful co-existence, fight against crime and promote security.

 

Army Intelligence officer shot dead in North Darfur

September 18 – 2017 KABKABIYA

Militiamen killed the commander of the Army Intelligence unit of the Kabkabiya military garrison in North Darfur on Saturday.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga from Kabkabiya, an eyewitness reported that two militiamen attempted to plunder the shop of Abdelaziz Mohamed in the El Sabeel district.

“The shop keeper reacted by pointing his gun at them. In the ensuing firefight, one of the attackers was hit,” he said.

“When Lt. Omar Abuduraa, Commander of the Kabkabiya Army Intelligence, wanted to interfere, the other man shot him dead on the spot.”

The militiamen were held immediately. The injured man was treated at Kabkabiya Hospital, after which he and his fellow attacker were taken to the town’s garrison.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Robberies in Darfur leave one dead, 17 wounded

September 18 – 2017 KUTUM / TUR

A herder was killed and four others were injured in a cattle raid in North Darfur’s Kutum on Saturday. In an attack on the Tur Eastern Camp in Central Darfur on Sunday night, 13 displaced were wounded.

A group of gunmen riding motorcycles attacked five cattle herders in Kutum on Saturday afternoon.

“They shot one of the herders dead. The other four were injured,” a relative of the victims told Radio Dabanga. “The gunmen then took their 110 cows with them in the direction of western Fata Borno,” he said.

Tur

A camp sheikh told Radio Dabanga that a group of gunmen riding on camels and horses stormed the Tur Eastern Camp for the displaced at about 1 am on Sunday.

“The janjaweed shot in the air, and beat and stabbed any one in front of them. 13 people were injured. They then plundered eight homes,” he reported.

The wounded were taken to Nierteti Hospital. The incident was reported to the military garrison of Tur.

 

Sudan Tribune

Tribal tensions in N. Darfur after killing of human traffickers by RSF militias

September 25, 2017 (EL-FASHER) – Jabal al-Amer and the surrounding areas of Sarif and Saraf Umrah in North Darfur state are witnessing tensions between the different branches of Rizeigat tribesmen after the killing of their sons by others who are part of the government forces combating human traffickers.

Last Friday, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said 19 people had been killed in clashes with armed gangs involved in the human trafficking and illegal immigration on the Sudanese-Egyptian-Libyan border.

Following the statement, it was reported that a bodyguard of the tribal leader Musa Hilal, Suleiman Daoud, and 16 other people had been killed near the Libyan border during clashes with the RSF militiamen last Thursday. The spokesman of the Revolutionary Awakening Council (RAC), Haroun Medikheir, confirmed to Sudan Tribune that tensions have increased among the relatives of those who had been “liquidated” by the RSF. However, he denied that the involvement of the RAC militia in these tensions, saying they didn’t besiege the base of the Sudanese government militia.

Medikheir was alluding to reports about the siege of the RSF forces by more than 200 vehicles of the RAC armed elements that Musa Hilal dispatched demanding to hand over those involved in the attack on the traffickers. The RAC official further said that the RSF General Commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, (aka Hametti) ordered his troops to withdraw from the area because of the tribal tensions.

“The government is behind this tension and Hametti did not realize that,” he said. “We advised him a lot to not bring tension and strife among the Rizeigat branches,” he added. He said the families of the dead have accused commanders of the Rapid Support Forces who are not present in the area, pointing that now conciliators intervened to contain tensions and prevent violence. “Also, the SRF pledged to address the situation and efforts are taking place with the relatives of the killed people,” he said.

 

(Report is also in Central Darfur)

Raids: Four villagers killed, boy abducted in Darfur

September 29 – 2017 JEBEL MARRA / TAWILA / GARSILA

Four people were killed, including a mother and her child, in a militia raid on a village in eastern Jebel Marra on Thursday. A boy was abducted during an attack on a village in Tawila locality.

Militiamen raided Tamboul village in the area popularly known as eastern Jebel Marra on Thursday morning. They shot four people and stole about 150 livestock and property of people, one of the villagers reported to Radio Dabanga.

“50 houses were torched. The attack took place at 5am while we were sleeping, and we woke up by the sound of bullets.” The shooting led to the death of 55-year-old Ahmed Omar, a woman and her six-months-old baby and a young man.

The attack reportedly sparked many villagers to flee to the mountain caves.

In a raid on Sousawa village, north of Tabit in Tawila locality, by a group of gunmen on Wednesday evening, a boy of 14 years old was abducted. Two villagers sustained injuries while 84 sheep, goats, camels and donkeys were stolen.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that at 8pm, 15 gunmen attacked Sousawa by opening fire into the air. The bullets hit Mustafa Mahjoub Yagoub (35) and Haroun Ibrahim Salim (45) and seriously injured them.

Yousif Ibrahim Hamid (14) was abducted and his current whereabouts are unknown.

Assault

On Thursday, Noureldin Adam Mohamed and Abdallah Koui of Garsila camp for displaced people in Central Darfur were severely beaten and injured by militants.

A sheikh in the area told Radio Dabanga that armed men attacked the two displaced men while they were tilling their farm at Yangusai, east of Garsila. “The attackers tried to kidnap them, but they resisted. They were severely beaten.”

Koui was transferred to Garsila Hospital because of deep wounds he sustained.

 

Sudan Tribune

One killed by unknown gunmen in North Darfur
September 30, 2017 (EL-FASHER) – One person was killed and several of others injured by unidentified gunmen in two separate incidents in the locality of Tawila, some 60 kilometres west of North Darfur capital, El-Fasher. Emad Abdel-Karim, a nephew of the victim told Sudan Tribune that gunmen on a four-wheel-drive Land Cruiser vehicle fired at his uncle and killed him instantly after he refused to hand them over his cattle. “My uncle Mohamed Abdel-Rahman was killed treacherously at the hands of the Janjaweed near Tawila after he refused to leave his sheep,” he added.

Also, in a separate incident, a number of passenger buses have been attacked by gunmen on the road linking between El-Fasher and Tawila leading to the injury of several passengers. One of the passengers by the name of Abu Al-Gasim Abdallah told Sudan Tribune that they have been attacked by unidentified gunmen, saying the attackers had stolen large sums of money and mobile phones. He added that two of the passengers have been injured during the attack.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Two men shot and killed in Darfur

October 3 – 2017 TAWILA / DOBO EL OMDA / EL FASHER

Two people were killed in separate incidents in Tawila and eastern Jebel Marra in Darfur on Sunday and Monday. In El Fasher, a security force rounded-up members of an alleged criminal network.

Gunmen killed cattle herder Mohamed Abdelrahman Hamid in Yaw, north of Tawila on Sunday. Community elder omda Mukhtar Bosh told Radio Dabanga that three armed men attacked Hamid while he let his goats graze in Yaw. He died instantly.

In Daba Naira, 15km east of Dobo El Omda in eastern Jebel Marra, armed herders shot Yousif Haroun Ibrahim on Monday morning. Relatives of Ibrahim reported to Radio Dabanga that two cattle herders on camels trespassed on his farmland.

When Ibrahim objected to the herders’ actions, they opened fire on him. The serious injuries later led to his death in Daba Naira village.

Criminal network

On Tuesday, Commissioner of El Fasher El Tijani Saleh announced the arrest of an alleged criminal network that is specialised in theft, vehicle hijacking, and blackmail. The network has reportedly caused “insecurity and chaos inside the city”.

Saleh told reporters that a joint force managed to arrested one of the suspects in a raid on his house. In the house they found weapons, ammunition, military uniforms, vehicle number plates, and identification documents.

After reviewing the numbers of the seized plates, it became clear that they belong to three vehicles that were reported stolen in El Gism El Awsat. “Other suspects of the criminal network are being sought.”

The capital of North Darfur regularly witnesses car hijacking. In August, gunmen hijacked a vehicle belonging to an aid organisation.

 

North Darfur man ‘ripped apart’ as camel triggers grenade

October 5 – 2017 EAST JEBEL MARRA

On Wednesday afternoon in North Darfur, Abdelbagi Yagoub Harran died instantly in Mashrou Abuzeid in eastern Jebel Marra when an explosive remnant of war (ERW) detonated.

A distraught relative of the deceased told Radio Dabanga that at 1 pm on Wednesday the camel Harran was riding triggered a grenade. The ensuing blast reportedly “ripped Harran and his camel apart”.

Years of war have left Darfur littered with explosive remnants of war (ERW), sometimes also referred to as ‘unexploded ordnance’ (UXO). Radio Dabanga frequently reports on deaths and horrendous injuries to civilians.

In August, a herder and two of his camels were killed when one of the animals triggered a device hidden in the sand in Tawila, North Darfur.

On August 30, the Central Darfur 12-year-old Mutasim Mohamed Abdallah was seriously injured when he started to play an unidentified object he’d found near camp Hamidiya, east of the Technology College, and it detonated.

In July, 13-year-old Salem Abubaker Abdelrahman was similarly injured after playing with an item of UXO at El Khereiga area five kilometres south of Zamzam camp for the displaced in North Darfur.

Unamid’s Ordnance Disposal OfficeOct 5 2017

Last month Unamid’s Ordnance Disposal Office conducted a training of trainers (ToT) workshop on explosive remnants of war (ERW) in the West Darfur capital of El Geneina.

Following the five-day workshop, the 12 participants will go on to train others as part of the Mission’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about ERW among local Darfur communities.

Years of conflict have left Darfur and other conflict areas of Sudan littered with unexploded ordnance (UXO). Radio Dabanga appeals to listeners throughout the region (and elsewhere in our reception area) not to touch any ‘unexploded’ grenades or other ammunition found in the field. Mark its position clearly to alert others, and report it immediately to a camp elder, Unamid and/or the local police.

 

Four girls raped in North Darfur

October 6 – 2017 TAWILA

Four girls were raped by gunmen, outside of a camp for displaced people in Tawila locality on Wednesday.

Gunmen attacked the girls of 15 to 18 years old when they were collecting straw in Susuwa near Rwanda camp. They raped them at gunpoint, sheikh of Rwanda camp Omda Mukhtar Bosh reported to Radio Dabanga.

He said that the girls have been transferred “in a bad condition” to the Doctors Without Borders hospital in Tawila. “They are still bedridden,” he said on Thursday.

The incident has been reported to the peacekeeping mission Unamid and the police detective in Tawila, Lt. Ibrahim Sayak Ibrahim.

 

Ambulance driver, displaced man killed in North Darfur

October 6 – 2017 MELLIT / KUTUM / KABKABIYA / GIREIDA

Three people were killed in separate incidents in Kutum, Kabkabiya and Mellit in North Darfur, including an ambulance driver.

Armed men shot and killed Bashir Ibrahim Tahir, a displaced man from Fata Borno camp in North Darfur’s Kutum locality, on Thursday morning. Tahir was working on a farm east of the camp when the gunmen attacked him and stole his money, property and his donkey.

Kabkabiya

In the grand market of Kabkabiya in North Darfur, a militia member was killed and a policeman sustained injuries in the exchange of gunfire between militiamen and guards of the market.

“Six gunmen, riding three motorcycles, tried to break into a number of shops at the market,” a listener in Kabkabiya told this station. “Police guards stopped them and exchanged fire with them.” One of the bandits was killed while the others fled the scene.

Mellit

Bandits shot Osman Omar Hassan who was driving an ambulance in Mellit locality on Wednesday evening. He died in his car.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that five gunmen in a Land Cruiser opened fire on an ambulance that carried a sick person from Malha to El Fasher. Hassan was fatally injured.

The attackers were unable to open the ambulance and rob the driver because he secured the vehicle before he died. Sources have not yet been able to clarify what happened to the patient in the ambulance.

Militia attacks

People in Gireida in South Darfur have complained of continuous militia raids on farms and roads, which seem to target women in particular. A witness told Radio Dabanga that the area has witnessed a series of attacks in the past two days, the latest of which was carried out on Wednesday.

Three displaced women from Gireida camp who were out on the fields came under attack by gunmen. The sisters Safia and Fawziya Ahmed Hussein respectively sustained a deep injury in her head and a broken leg, and a broken hand, during the attack. Khadija Omar suffered various injuries.

This week, five militia raids were reported to Radio Dabanga, including the raid on Monday in which three people were shot dead in Fogali area in East Jebel Marra.

 

Sudan govt. accused of planning to kill Musa Hilal

October 9 – 2017 SARAF OMRA

Khartoum is planning to capture or assassinatetribal chief and former janjaweed leader Musa Hilal and defeat his forces, says Hilal’s Revolutionary Awakening Council (RAC).

In a statement on Saturday, the RAC revealed a plan to capture Hilal and send him “alive or dead” to Khartoum. It accused “influential parties” within the government of “seeking to punish Hilal”.

The implementation of the plan has reportedly been assigned to Sudan’s largest militia, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

According to the RAC, an RSF force of 60 Land Cruisers was recently dispatched from the north-western areas of Um Baro and Ein Siro. Another RSF force, consisting of 83 four-wheel-drive vehicles, is heading from Kabkabiya in North Darfur to the South Darfur capital of Nyala for the same purpose.

The Council warned that “those who hope that Hilal will be arrested and sent to Khartoum, alive or dead, will be disappointed”, and stressed “the readiness of the RAC to defend itself”.

The RAC further stated it stays committed to “a just political cause” and to achieving peace and stability in Darfur.

Opposing disarmament

In early 2003, when Darfuri rebels took up arms against the government, Khartoum assigned Musa Hilal, chief of the Arab Mahameed clan in North Darfur, as the main recruiter of militant Arabs (popularly called janjaweed) in Darfur. With the full backing of the government, his militiamen targeted unarmed African Darfuri villagers, but they rarely came near forces of the rebel movements.

Hilal’s stance towards the government changed over the years. Mid 2013, he returned from Khartoum to his base in North Darfur, where his fighters, mainly members of the paramilitary Border Guards, began to attack government forces and allied militias.

Hilal established the RAC, consisting of native administration leaders and militants from various tribes in north-western Darfur, in Saraf Omra in March 2014. According to a UN Security Council report in April this year, he and his men are profiting from vast gold sales in Darfur.

In July, the Sudanese government announced a nationwide disarmament campaign, to be started in Darfur and Kordofan. The army and the allied RSF militia have been tasked with collecting illegal arms and unlicensed vehicles from civilians in both regions.

According to the RAC, the disarmament of civilians in Darfur “clearly targets Sheikh Musa Hilal and his tribe”. The Border Guards have opposed the plan from the start. They have also rejected plans to dissolve the various government militias in the country and integrate the members with the RSF.
Sudan Tribune

10,000 militiamen arrive in El-Fasher to establish security in N. Darfur
October 11, 2017 (EL-FASHER) – North Darfur Governor Abdel Wahid Youssef Nahar has welcomed the arrival of 10,000 militiamen in his state saying the will contribute to establishing security in the troubled state. North Darfur state recently witnessed a recrudescence of violence and kidnapping of foreign aid workers. Also, the state prepares to launch the second phase of the weapon collection operation which will be mandatory soon. Speaking to the 10,000 elements of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that arrived from Kordofan region, Governor Nahar said the force would work to support the weapon collection campaign, protect the border and to deal with the outlaws. He further stressed his government’s keenness to provide security as a top priority.

“The country will see a new dawn in the days ahead, and we want you to be a real addition to the security and stability process in the state,” he said. The governor added that another force is deployed in Kabkabiya district, to establish security and stability, and hailed the RSF contributions during the past period.

For his part, Maj. General Yahya Ali Mohamed, the RSF Commander in El-Fasher, said that the force will be part of the 6th Infantry Division of the Sudanese army in the North Darfur and will work side by side with it to achieve security and stability.

 

Sudan sends 10,000 RSF to collect arms in North Darfur

October 13 – 2017 EL FASHER / KHARTOUM / KUTUM

The Sudanese government deployed a force of 10,000 Rapid Support Force (RSF) soldiers to North Darfur to contribute to the forced weapons collection in the state. United States officials said to support the nationwide process.

The 10,000 paramilitaries are equipped with 400 military vehicles, North Darfur Governor Abdelwahid Yousif Ibrahim said during a press conference on Thursday. “With the name ‘New Dawn’ these forces come from North and South Kordofan to enhance the security and stability in the state, and to implement the second phase of the collection process starting this month.”

The commander of the RSF in North Darfur, Maj. Gen. Yahya Ali Mohamed, added that the convoy’s primary objective is contributing to the collection of weapons throughout North Darfur in cooperation with other security agencies. The RSF is Sudan’s largest militia.

In addition Mahmour Babikir Himed, commander of the 11^th Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) Infantry said that the trafficking of people “remains one of the problems that plague the state”, confirming that the army will work to beat the criminals.

US supports arms collection

In Khartoum, Second Vice-President Hassabo Mohamed Abdelrahman briefed the United States Charge d’Affaires Stephen Coates on the process of the weapons collection in parts of Sudan.

Coates confirmed in a press statement yesterday, after being received by Abdelrahman at the Presidential Palace, the support by the US for the initiative. He pointed out the importance of cooperation with communities to create a favourable and healthy social environment.

The US official said that interested American businessmen have sent inquiries to the embassy about investments in Sudan. He pointed to the expected arrivals of American businessmen who look for available investment opportunities in Sudan.

Armed opposition

According to the Revolutionary Awakening Council (RAC) led by militia leader Musa Hilal, the disarmament of civilians in Darfur “clearly targets Sheikh Musa Hilal and his tribe”. Hilal considers Khartoum’s decisions to disarm civilians and irregular combatants as a direct assault against his forces, the Border Guards and allied militiamen.

“The RSF militias of the ‘New Dawn’ have arrived, but we are ready to fight back.” – RAC lieutenant Ali Rizgallah

Lt. Col. Ali Rizgallah of the RAC said that the target of the Rapid Support Forces in North Darfur is to follow“the agenda of Vice-President Abdelrahman to attack our sites in Kutum and Kabkabiya”. The arrival of the paramilitary force may lead to an explosion of the situation in North Darfur. “The militias of the ‘New Dawn’ arrived in Kutum yesterday. But they do not intimidate us, and we are ready to confront them if they attack our sites.”

On Saturday the RAC claimed that Khartoum plans to capture or assassinate Musa Hilal and to defeat his forces. It said that the implementation of the plan has been assigned to the RSF.

Last month, a clash between RSF and paramilitary Border Guards in North Darfur led to the killing of seventeen Border Guards near the Sudanese-Egyptian-Libyan border. Further fighting was avoided when the RSF replaced all its forces at the gold mine where the siege took place with other forces from the local Mahameed clan. This reportedly led to a halt of the clashes because the fighters discovered “they were brothers and cousins”, a RAC leader explained Radio Dabanga.

Compulsory collection

The second phase of the collection of illegal arms and cars follows the voluntary collection stage which took place in Darfur and the states of Kordofan.

In South Darfur, weapon collection committees have made inventories of all the administration that have received weapons. According to the governor more than 2,000 weapons were voluntary collected from people in the state. In West Darfur, El Geneina locality alone collected 2,500 firearms by the first of October. The period of voluntary collection has been extended in North Kordofan until 15 October.

 

Shooting in North Darfur market wounds six

October 13 – 2017 KUTUM / KATOR

Six people were wounded in an attack by militiamen on the market in Kutum, North Darfur, on Thursday. Bandits robbed the passengers of a vehicle en route to El Fasher.

Ten armed men, driving a Land Cruiser, opened fire in the market of Kutum town and wounded six people who had to be taken to the hospital. Three of them were transferred to the hospital in El Fasher in a serious condition. In fear of new attacks many shops closed their doors.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that the raid took place against the backdrop of an earlier attack by a militiaman on one of the merchants. The attacker and the merchant had quarreled over the value of goods he bought.

“People apprehended the attacker to hand him over to the police, but fellow militiamen broke into the market and opened fire. They took their colleague with them and fled.”

In the shooting, Haroun Abdallah Ishag, Saleh Adam Mohamed, El Mahi Abbas Ishag, Khidir Abdel Rahim Hassan, a man named Hamoda and a sixth person sustained injuries.

Robbery

On Thursday afternoon, bandits stopped a commercial vehicle on its way from Deribat in eastern Jebel Marra to El Fasher, and robbed the passengers of their mobiles phones, money and goods.

One of the victims told Radio Dabanga that three men, wearing military uniforms, opened fire on the vehicle in the area of Kator, hitting the tires which caused the vehicle to stop.

“They ordered the passengers to lie down on the ground, seized our possessions and then fled.” The incident was repoted to the military garrison in Kator.

 

Policeman robbed of weapon in North Darfur attack

October 16 – 2017 KABKABIYA

A policeman sustained gunshot wounds when he was fired upon by unknown assailants as he made his way to work on in Kabkabiya locality in North Darfur state on Saturday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that 25-year-old policeman Wed Braima was on his way from his home in El Amiriya district to the police station when two men riding a motorcycle opened fire on him.

The men then took Officer Braima’s service weapon and fled.

A woman caller from Kabkabiya said the policeman was taken to Kabkabiya hospital with serious injuries.

 

 Grenade blast kills gunman in North Darfur city

October 17 – 2017 EL FASHER

A man was killed when the grenade he carried detonated in downtown El Fasher city on Sunday night, in front of the security squad chasing him. Several security officers were wounded.

According to government sources in the capital of North Darfur, the man was being hunted down by the security service after he had fired live bullets in Abdelrahman El Rashid Park. The security force chased the gunman, who happened to be armed with a grenade. In his attempt to throw it at the security force, the grenade exploded in front of him and tore his body into pieces. The source said that the explosion led to the injury of several members of the security force, who were transferred to hospital.

The commissioner of El Fasher locality, El Tijani Abdallah Salih, told Sudanese media that the holding of weapons is banned in public areas. The security officers had asked the man in the park about his identity. “He said he belongs to the Military Intelligence but they doubted his credibility and decided to investigate him, but he refused and fired at them before fleeing,” said the commissioner.

Weapon collection

In August, the Sudanese government launched a large-scale campaign to disarm civilians and collect illegal weapons and vehicles in Darfur and states of Kordofan, as it said to improve the security and stability in these regions. The campaign, which has entered the stage of the compulsory collection of weapons by Sudanese military and security forces, finds support from the United States.

However the campaign is also expected to lead to new conflict and internal fighting between militias in Darfur. Ahmed Hussein Adam, associate researcher at the University of London School Of Law, explained that it is a strategy to rid the militias after exhausting their purposes, by igniting internal sedition and fueling conflict between its social cisterns. Adam referred to the need for the government to settle their dispute with Musa Hilal, head of the Revolutionary Awakening Council, and chief of the Mahameed clan.

 

(Report also in West Darfur)

25 dead as Chad camel raiders clash with West Darfur posse

October 19 – 2017 KULBUS / KABKABIYA

At least 25 people were killed and an unknown number wounded when armed camel rustlers from Chad clashed with a local rescue team in West Darfur this week. The situation in the area is reportedly still tense.

Sources told Radio Dabanga that the incident began on Monday when gunmen from neighbouring Chad stole camels belonging to Mattar Midkheir Awad at El Hatata area north of Kulbus in West Darfur.

A local rescue team managed to recover the camels on Tuesday after a clash that resulted in the death of three of the raiders. The thieves then launched a counter-attack; 15 raiders were killed, as well as eight members of the rescue posse.

Callers for the area say the situation as dangerous and tense, as there is no a large gathering and mobilisation of armed men in the area, but no government forces have responded.

They appealed to the police, government forces, and Unamid to intervene to avoid even more bloodshed.

Kabkabiya

At least six people were killed and three were wounded in clashes between militiamen in Kabkabiya in North Darfur. The incident led to the closure of Kabkabiya market for the whole of Tuesday as Rapid Support Forces (RSF) support at Kabkabiya market and its streets.

Sources told Radio Dabanga that the incidents were sparked when an armed group allegedly murdered two members of the Mahariya tribe and stole their motorcycles, five kilometres north of Kabkabiya on Tuesday evening.

On Wednesday, a crowd of Mahariya gathered to follow the trail of the assailants, which led to Um Delwa village, where there are forces of the border guards led by Seifu.

The sources said that Seifu denied any knowledge of the perpetrators. The two sides then exchanged fire. Six people died and three were wounded.

The sources said that a contingent of RSF in 14 vehicles arrived in the area to separate the two sides. The wounded were taken to Kabkabiya hospital.

 

Boy, man abducted in North Darfur

October 20 – 2017 TAWILA / DOBO EL OMDA

A boy and a man were abducted in separate incidents in Tawila and in East Jebel Marra on Sunday and Thursday.

Armed herdsmen intercepted the 14-year-old Shadia Yousif Ibrahim and kidnapped him near Fallujah, 15 km south of Dobo El Omda in the area popularly known as East Jebel Marra on Thursday afternoon.

One of his relatives told this station that two herders, riding camels, intercepted Shadia and hawa Yagoub Saleh who were on their way to collect firewood near Fallujah. “Hawa managed to escape, but Shadia was captured and taken to an unknown destination.”

The villages have informed the military garrison in Katur about the incident, “but they have not moved yet”.

In Tawila locality in North Darfur, Yagoub Hussein Yagoub El Shaikh was abducted by militiamen and has been held in Damrat El Gubba since Sunday. El Shaikh lives in the Rwanda camp for displaced people.

Abductors have contacted his family and demanded the payment of SDG 40,000 ($5,970), which the family refused to do. The abductors then increased the amount.

Omda Mukhtar Bosh, the leader in the camp, reported the incident and explained that the details of the incident go back to Sunday. Five militiamen who drove a Land Cruiser with a Dushka machine gun mounted on top. They kidnapped Yagoub from the Tawila market and took him straight to Damirat El Gubba.

 

(Report also in West Darfur)

Grazing livestock destroy tracts of Darfur food crops

October 22 – 2017 KUTUM / FORO BARANGA

Farmers in North Darfur’ Kutum locality complain that large tracts of farmland have been destroyed by herders driving livestock onto farms, while their complaints to the police and Unamid go unanswered.

Several farmers independently told Radio Dabanga that they are powerless to prevent the armed herders from driving their livestock including camels and cattle onto farms. They say that especially in Si Janna, Folo, Wadi Zuma, and Wadi Tali, fields of millet, sorghum, okra, watermelon, and Faggous cucumber have been destroyed.

This represents a major loss, as the crops are ready to be harvested They said they have filed several complaints to the authorities and Unamid without any response.

West Darfur

Farmers of Foro Baranga of West Darfur have also complained of armed herders driving sheep and goats onto their farms by force of arms.

The farmers demanded that the authorities to intervene to protect them and their farms against violations and abuses by herders.

 

Sudan Tribune

Government militia attack rebels in North Darfur
October 23, 2017 (EL-FASHER) – Sudanese government militia, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Monday said they defeated a rebel force led by Abdallah Rizkallah that tried to attack Kutum town, 115 km northwest of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state. Rizkallah aka (Savanna) is a member of the Mahameed tribe who was part of the government militias but rebelled after Khartoum decision last August to merge his militia in the RSF led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, (aka Hametti), another member of the same tribal clan.

Mohamed Ali Suleiman, a member of the Native Administration in Kutum confirmed to Sudan Tribune the arrival of SRF fighters on 400 vehicles to the area after the arrival of “armed outlaws” from Kabkabiya.

“The RSF fighters attacked the outlaws inside the market forcing them to flee outside the town on their Land Cursors,” Suleiman said. There are no details about the human casualties of the attack.

Recently the North Darfur authorities announced the arrival of 10,000 RSF fighters to El-Fasher within the framework of arms collection campaign. RSF spokesperson, Colonel Abdel Rahman al-Jaali, told the official SUNA that their forces were arrived in Kutum to remove the outlaws who tried to enter the city “to cause chaos and destabilize security and stability.” He further said that the RSF would clear the whole Darfur region from rebels and outlaws warning that the government militia will deal decisively with “whoever wishes to harm the security and stability of the citizen” in Darfur. It is not clear if Rizkallah returned to Kabkabiya, a Musa Hilal stronghold area.

Sudanese militia drive North Darfur gunmen from Kutum

October 24 – 2017 KUTUM

The market of Kutum in North Darfur was closed on Monday afternoon, for fear of attacks by militiamen.

A shop owner told Radio Dabanga that the market was closed after members of a large militia in the area took goods from a shop without paying. “We all feared that these janjaweed would continue to plunder the entire market.”

He said that the attackers fled when a large force of paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) entered the town. “They came in about 500 vehicles and managed to capture three vehicles belonging to the local militia. They also stopped gunmen in the town and removed their kadamool (a turban covering the face).

RSF spokesman Colonel Abdelrahman El Jaali told the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) yesterday that his forces entered Kutum “to drive away the outlaws and rebels headed by Ali Rizgallah El Safana who tried to enter the town to provoke chaos and destabilise the area”.

He said that the RSF have taken control of the area “to impose the prestige of the state and rule of law”. They are still chasing the militiamen.

In 2012, the State of Emergency was imposed in in Kutum after repeated waves of violence. The governor of north Darfur appointed the military to take on police duties. Starting 2015 the first police and prosecutors gradually were deployed to return to the town in an attempt to fill the security vacuum.

Regular force

The RSF, Sudan’s largest militia, functions as a regular force of the Sudanese government, based on the 2016 Rapid Support Forces Act, which integrated the militia into the Sudan Armed Forces, and provides for the commander of the RSF to be appointed by the President.

Since its creation in mid-2013, the RSF has led a number of brutal counter insurgency campaigns, supported by aerial bombardments, against civilian populations in Kordofan and mainly in Darfur.

The RSF are also deployed by Khartoum to prevent East African asylum seekers reaching Libya in a project financially supported by the European Union.

 

Vaccination team injured by gunfire in North Darfur

October 26 – 2017 BIRKAT SERIA

Three members of a child immunisation team of the Ministry of Health in North Darfur were seriously wounded by gunfire by militants at Birkat Seira area in Saraf Omra locality on Tuesday evening.

Callers from Birkat Seira told Radio Dabanga that at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, two militants riding a motorcycle and wearing kadamols opened fire on a rickshaw at Bargo valley in the Birkat Seira area.

“El Haj Abdallah, Yagoub Adam, and Nureldin Mohamed were seriously wounded, and taken first to to Saraf Omra Hospital and then to El Sareif Beni Hussein Hospital.

The attack on the team reportedly took place as they returned from the Malika area east of Birkat Seira after the completion of a vaccination campaign for nomadic children.

 

Coal miners abducted in North Darfur

October 28 – 2017 TAWILA

A man and a woman have been forcibly abducted from a coal mine north of Tawila in North Darfur on Friday.

A relative of the abductees told Radio Dabanga that four armed militiamen driving a Land Cruiser attacked Abdelhalim Suleiman and Adam Hamed in the afternoon while they were working in a coal mine near Dubet Neira seven kilometres south of Dubo El Omda.

They seized Suleiman and Hamed at gunpoint and have taken them to an unknown destination. The motive behind the abduction is still unclear, and relatives have no received any demands for ransom.

The incident was reported to the local police.

 

North Darfur: RSF troops shoot two, shave Mahameed girl’s head

October 31 – 2017 KUTUM / DAMRAT EL SHEIKH

Two people were wounded when members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia opened fire on a vehicle in Kutum in North Darfur on Monday. The vehicle was carrying a Mahameed tribesman and his daughter from Damrat El Sheikh, who were on their way to Kutum to complain that militiamen had shaved the girl’s head.

Member of the North Darfur parliament Adam Manan told Radio Dabanga that RSF militiamen opened fire on the commercial vehicle carrying the 13-year-old Mahameed girl and her father.

He said that El Haj Zakariya and another passenger named Juma sustained bullet wounds. They were rushed to Kutum Hospital.

The MP condemned the militiamen for shaving the girl’s hair after they learned she belonged to the Mahameed tribe, and called on them not to discriminate against people on the basis of their tribe.

He said that the girl and her father arrived safely in Kutum where they had a meeting with the commander of the Kutum military garrison. “An RSF legal administration officer arrived today [Monday] from El Fasher, who said they will investigate the incident and bring the offenders to trial.”

Head shaved

The girl was accosted by RSF militiamen while taking livestock for grazing near Damrat El Sheikh in Kutum locality on Friday. When they learned she belonged to the Mahameed clan, headed by Musa Hilal – a janjaweed leader who turned against the government during the last years – they shaved her head and released her.

Hafiz Mohamed, a cousin of the victim, told this station that the incident aroused huge resentment among the victim’s relatives. “We consider it a straightforward provocation.”

He said that members of Unamid, including a human rights defender, accompanied by RSF officers, visited the family of the victim in Damrat El Sheikh on Saturday. “They promised to investigate the incident and punish the perpetrators.”

A picture of the girl with her shaven head has been widely disseminated on social media. Both sources denied rumours that she was raped as well.

 

Displaced woman shot in North Darfur camp

October 31 – 2017 KUTUM

A woman was shot during a rape attempt at her home in Kutum camp in North Darfur on Sunday.

A relative of victim told Radio Dabanga that a gunman raided the shelter of Halima Ahmed in Kutum camp on Sunday evening with the intention to rape her.

“When she resisted, he shot her in her chest and thigh,” he said. “She is now being treated in Kutum Hospital.”

Camp residents and policeman set up a search posse that managed to apprehend the attacker.

 

(Report also in South Darfur)

Two dead, man’s hand hacked-off in Darfur robberies

November 3 – 2017 NYALA / KUTUM / GULDO

A displaced man was killed, and his brother’s hand hacked-off on the road between camp El Salam and Kalma camp near Nyala, South Darfur on Tuesday evening. In separate incidents, a man was shot dead in North Darfur, and a woman seriously injured in Central Darfur.

Yagoub Furi, Coordinator of the Darfur Displaced and Refugees Association told Radio Dabanga that on Tuesday evening four gunmen attacked brothers Suleiman and Hassoun Abdallah while they were on their way from camp Kalma to camp El Salam for a visit of some relatives. The gunmen opened fire on Hassoun and killed him instantly.

They then cut-off the hand of Suleiman with a knife, took the amputated hand with them and fled.

He explained that the incident was reported to Beleil police and Suleiman Abdallah was taken to Nyala Hospital.

Kutum locality

Gunmen shot dead Siddig Suleiman, resident of Kassab camp in Kutum locality in North Darfur at noon on Wednesday.

A camp sheikh told Radio Dabanga that gunmen riding camels attacked Siddig Suleiman while he was winnowing grain on his farm at Jumbo area north of the camp. They tried to take his grain and when he refused, they fired two bullets at him which killed him instantly.

Displaced people and residents of Fata Borno of Kutum locality in North Darfur have complained about continued attacks by the militias against the residents and their cattle trespassing the farms by force of arms.

Yesterday displaced persons and residents of Fata Borno told Radio Dabanga that large numbers of militias after being driven out of Kutum by the rapid support forces have moved to Fata Borno and stationed there.

A farmer said that 10 days ago these militias began taking their livestock to graze in the farms by force of arms and assaulting the residents in the market, the camp and the districts of Fata Borno.

The farmer demanded government forces to speed up removal of these militias from the area.

Guldo

A woman named only as Amina was wounded in a shooting at Guldo in Jebel Marra in Central Darfur on Thursday.

One of Amina’s relatives told Radio Dabanga that one of the herders shot her while she was trying to drive the camels from her farm.

He said the shooting caused serious wounds to her thigh, abdomen and shoulder and that she was taken in a serious condition to Guldo Hospital.

 

North Darfur trader stripped of his dollars

November 5 – 2017 EL FASHER

A group of three gunmen robbed a trader in the North Darfur capital of $17,000.

A relative of the victim reported to Radio Dabanga that three gunmen attacked the trader near the Bank of Khartoum branch in El Fasher.

“After he got into his car, the three robbers embarked as well,” he said.

“One of them put a knife at his neck, and threatened to kill him if he opened his mouth. They then ordered him to go to a place outside the town, where an ATOS vehicle came that took the gunmen with his money to an unknown destination.”

The trader planned to transfer the money to his brothers abroad for the purchase of merchandise.

 

Dozens of Border Guards join Sudan RSF militia

November 5 – 2017 EL FASHER

About 120 members of the paramilitary Border Guards who broke away from the Ali Rizgallah group arrived in the North Darfur capital of El Fasher on Thursday.

The defectors from the Ali Rizgallah group of Border Guards that rebelled against the government, announced that they will join the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudan’s main militia that operates since January 2015 as a ‘regular force’.

The group’s members, headed by El Haj Ali Widaa, arrived with four Land Cruisers mounted with Dushka machineguns. They were received at the headquarters of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) in El Fasher.

Widaa said they decided to join the RSF within the framework of the current disarmament campaign.

North Darfur Governor Abdelwahid Yousif Ibrahim, welcomed the group and called their joining of the peace process “a true addition to the security and stability development in the state”.

He stressed that North Darfur “will continue to collecting illegal arms without exception, and extend its hand to all who want peace”.

The Border Guards used to be a government militia in Darfur. Its members are affiliated with former janjaweed leader Musa Hilal, backed by Khartoum, until Hilal distanced himself from the government in mid 2013.

According to the Revolutionary Awakening Council (RAC), established by Hilal in 2014, the disarmament of civilians in Darfur “clearly targets Sheikh Musa Hilal and his tribe”. The Border Guards have opposed the disarmament campaign from the start. They have also rejected plans to dissolve the various government militias in the country and integrate the members with the RSF.

Campaign

In July, Khartoum announced a large disarmament campaign in the country, to begin with in Darfur and Kordofan. The collection of illegal arms and cars would be voluntary in the beginning. It became compulsory in mid October.

The campaign is to be followed by a reform of “the supporting forces of the army”, by which the various government militias will be dissolved. The members are to join the RSF.

The motives of the government campaign have been challenged by experts. In an interview with Radio Dabanga in August, Ahmed Hussein Adam, associate researcher at the University of London School Of Law, stressed that “the collection of weapons in Darfur comes only within the context of the implementation of Security Council resolution 1556 of 2004 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which stipulates the disarming and dismantling of janjaweed militias and bringing their leaders to justice”.

He described the current campaign as “scattering of ash on eyes and political fraud that should not mislead the people of Darfur”.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Herders abduct two farmers, attack others in Darfur

November 6 – 2017 TAWILA / KUTUM / MUKJAR

A group of herders abducted two villagers from their farms in North Darfur’s Tawila locality on Saturday. Herders are grazing their livestock on farms in Kutum. In Central Darfur, militiamen robbed a number of farmers of their belongings.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a relative of one of the victims reported that four gunmen riding camels attacked Adam Abakar Haroun (45) and Suliman Omar Saleh (35) and on their farms near Timo village, 10 km west of Khazan Tunjur.

“The camelmen accused them stealing a number of cows that went missing some days ago. But Adam and Suliman had nothing to do with the matter,” he said.

He added that others from Timo village informed the military garrison of Murtal about the incident.

Grazing

Farmers in Kutum complained about livestock destroying their farms.

“Three days ago, herders began grazing camels and sheep at the farms belonging to Jengouli and Gharban villages, less than 3 km east of Kutum town,” a farmer told this station on Sunday.

“The herders threaten to kill anyone who protests the grazing or tries to remove the animals from the farms.”

Hand broken

In Mukjar locality in Central Darfur, militiamen attacked a number of farmers in Kombo Umbera on Sunday morning.

“At 4 am, a group of militiamen stormed the village. They were shooting heavily in the air to intimidate us,” one of the victims reported.

“They then began to take our property. When Khadija Adam protested, they beat her with a baton, and broke her hand,” he added.

Disarmament

The agreed period for grazing in Sudan’s western region does not commence until February, about two months after the start of the dry season. However, each year herders graze their livestock on farms prematurely, causing repeated tension with farmers.

This year, farmers in Darfur began to report assaults by herders grazing their livestock on farms by force of arms in October. A number of farmers have been killed and injured.

The attacks raised calls for the intensification of the disarmament campaign in the region, announced by Khartoumin July.

 

Clashes as RSF, Border Guards tensions erupt

November 10 – 2017 KORMA / EL FASHER

Large clashes took place between two of Sudan’s paramilitary forces, the Rapid Support Forces and the Border Guards, near Korma today. Their leaders have not revealed the casualty number.

Eyewitnesses in Korma in North Darfur told Radio Dabanga that fighting broke out in Amar Jadeed, Eshbara, Kela and Niro. They heard explosions and gunfire coming from these areas from morning until after the Friday prayers ended.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) spokesman, Col. Abdelrahman El Jaali, confirmed the clash in Korma, which is 12 kilometres west of El Fasher. In a statement to the official Sudanese news agency (Suna) he said that they managed to arrest nine Border Guards members and seized their military equipment.

He said that a number of militiamen were killed when the RSF pursued them up to the outskirts of Kutum. The RSF still give chase to the Border Guards members who managed to flee. “We will work to clean up all Darfur states from the infiltrators, especially those in the cities.”

Rapid Support militia chases Ali Rizgallah Safana forces to Kutum

The Border Guards members in question serve under Lt. Col. Ali Rizgallah (nicknamed Safana), who recently declared a rebellion against Khartoum and defected from Sudan’s chain of command. Rizgallah ‘Safana’ refuses to integrate his forces in the RSF, as part of a currently ongoing disarmament campaign in Darfur.

RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan ‘Hemeti’ told reporters today that one of the caught fighters is a deputy of the Safana Border Guards. All nine captured men have been transferred to El Fasher, and from there they will be transferred to Khartoum.

Attack in Kutum

On Friday afternoon Rizgallah and his forces came under attack by RSF in Eshbara, on the road between Kutum and Kabkabiya, south of Kutum. He briefly spoke to Radio Dabanga but did not answer questions about the number of casualties.

Meanwhile the spokesman of the Revolutionary Awakening Council, led by former janjaweed leader Musa Hilal, commented that the circumstances of the clash between the RSF and Safana’s Border Guards are unknown. “We do not know the extent of the casualties because it occurred in a remote area,” said spokesman Mohamad Abekar.

Starting mid-August, verbal clashes between Hilal and Sudan’s Second Vice-President Hassabo Abdelrahman have threatened to escalate tensions between Sudan’s two paramilitary forces under the command of Hilal and Hemeti in North Darfur.

Hilal also strongly opposes the planned integration of the Darfuri Border Guards into the RSF. “I was the one who established and presented the Border Guards initiative to the army in Darfur to defeat the rebellion,” the Mahameed clan chief told Radio Dabanga in August.

Defectors

Last week, about 120 defectors from the Ali Rizgallah group of Border Guards which rebel against the government, announced that they will join the RSF. El Haj Ali Widaa led the group to El Fasher.

On paper the Border Guards are under nominal government command and used to be a government militia in Darfur. Its members are affiliated with founder and former janjaweed leader Musa Hilal, backed by Khartoum, until he distanced himself from the government in mid 2013. Hilal holds control of the gold-mining area Jebel Amer and Saraf Omra.

 

Sudan Tribune

Sudanese gov’t militia clashes with rebels in North Darfur

November 10, 2017 (EL-FASHER) – Bloody clashes have occurred on Friday in Korma areas, North Darfur state between government militia, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan Army Movement-Revolutionary Forces (SAM-RF) of Abdelallah Raziqallah aka (Savanna), reliable sources told Sudan Tribune. A source at the Korma administrative unit in the locality of El-Fasher, North Darfur capital said sounds of weaponry and fire exchange were heard from Amari Gadid, Kaila, Niro and Abshara areas.

He added gunmen have arrived in the abovementioned areas from Kabkabiya and Kutum several days ago, saying they clashed with the RSF on Friday afternoon.

Later on Friday, an RSF source told Sudan Tribune that their fighters managed to defeat outlaws belonging to the SAM-RF in Jaga area which lies between Tawila and Kabkabiya localities. He disclosed that dozens of the SAM-RF fighters have been captured and two four-wheel-drive Land Cruiser vehicles were seized.

Also, the official news agency SUNA has quoted the RSF spokesperson Abdel-Rahman al-Ga’ali as saying they captured 9 SAM-RF fighters, stressing several rebels have been killed while the rest of the rebel force have fled the battlefield.

He underscored the RSF would clean Darfur’s five states of the outlaws and end their presence, particularly in the major towns. On 23 October, the RSF said they defeated a rebel force led by Rizkallah that tried to attack Kutum town, 115 km northwest of El-Fasher. Rizkallah was part of the government militias but rebelled after Khartoum decision last August to merge his militia in the RSF led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, (aka Hametti) Last week, RSF said some 300 fighters have joined its ranks after their defection from the SAM-RF. In August, the Sudanese authorities launched a six-month disarmament campaign to eliminate illegal weapons in the conflict-affected areas in Sudan, particularly in Darfur region.

On 11 October, 10,000 RSF militiamen arrived in North Darfur to contribute to establishing security in the troubled state and support the mandatory phase of the disarmament campaign.

 

Ex-rebels chase away militants near North Darfur camp

November 13 – 2017 KABKABIYA

A clash broke out between former rebel fighters and a group of militants, east of camp Sortony in Kabkabiya, on Saturday.

Residents of the Sortony site, adjacent to the base of the AU-UN peacekeeping mission (Unamid) reported to Radio Dabanga that the fighting was caused by a group of militants, riding horses and donkeys, who beat displaced people on the farms of Teo, two kilometres east of the camp.

The attackers forced the displaced farmers to leave. Unamid peacekeeping soldiers were unable to confront the attackers, “on the gearounds that there were not enough troops to move”, the mission replied to the victims who reported the case.

One of the camp residents said that the people then requested El Sadig El Fakka to come to their aid. He is the leader of a breakaway rebel group which signed a peace agreement with the Sudanese government.

El Fakka’s troops moved to the area southwest of Sortony on Saturday afternoon and clashed with the militant group, forcing them to leave the farms. One former rebel was wounded and another went missing during the fighting. There are no details yet about the other party.

Sortony, adjacent to the base of the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (Unamid), is a site where people displaced from the mountainous Jebel Marra in Darfur in early 2016 have sought refuge. Increased hostilities between the Sudanese army, assisted by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudan Liberation Movement under the leadership of Abdelwahid El Nur have forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes to other areas in Darfur, including Sortony.

According to the UN, the number of displaced living in Sortony decreased to 21,500 people who are registered and currently reside at the site. 

 

(Report also in South Darfur)

Three dead in Darfur gun violence

November 20 – 2017 KUTUM / TULLUS / EL SALAM

 

Three people have died in separate incidents of gun violence in Darfur over the weekend. A farmer was gunned-down in North Darfur, while government forces collecting arms in South Darfur.

Witnesses from Farok area north of Kutum in North Darfur told Radio Dabanga that gunmen opened fire on Abdallah Adam while he was tilling his farm at Farok area north of Kutum and killed him instantly. The motive for the shooting us unclear.

In separate incidents, government forces engaged in the campaign to collect arms in Darfur fired on a group which killed two people and injured six others after severely beating them in Tullus and El Salam localities in South Darfur.

 

Mother killed, daughter raped on farm in North Darfur

November 21 – 2017 TAWILA

A woman was stabbed to death and her daughter raped in Tawila locality in North Darfur on Monday.

Two armed men attacked Maryam Yagoub Suleiman and her 16-year-old daughter when they were willing their farm in Daba Naira, north of Tawila. “They attempted to rape the daughter,” said a relative of the two. “Maryam fought back, but the attackers stabbed her with a knife and killed her on the spot.”

The attackers, two armed herders, subsequently raped the daughter at gunpoint. “She has been taken to El Fasher for treatment. We have filed a complaint to the police,” the relative reported to Radio Dabanga.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Man killed, hijacks in North and South Darfur

November 24 – 2017 KUTUM / KATOR

Militiamen killed a man in a gold mine area near Kutum, North Darfur, on Wednesday. Two government vehicles were hijacked in separate incidents in Darfur.

Three unknown gunmen shot and killed Adam Abdallah Musa at Hashaba, east of Kutum, a witness told Radio Dabanga. At 10 pm the gunmen, riding two motorcycles, opened fire in the Hashaba gold mine area and killed Musa on the spot.

Hijacks

On Thursday, eight gunmen hijacked a Land Cruiser belonging to collectors of the locality of East Jebel Marra in South Darfur. A source said that the gunmen opened fire from their vehicle on the road between DHashaberibat to Kator. They shot Abu El Gasim Haroun and seized their vehicle.

A military force from the Kator garrison chased the perpetrators and found the locality’s vehicle stalled near Falluja.

In North Darfur’s Tawila gunmen hijacked a Land Cruiser which belongs to the locality, while it was en route to Dubo El Omda. They took it to an unknown destination, a witness reported to Radio Dabanga.

 

Musa Hilal, Revolutionary Awakening Council leadership arrested in Darfur

November 27 – 2017 MISTERIYA / KHARTOUM

Musa Hilal, former janjaweed leader and chairman of the Revolutionary Awakening Council, as well as his sons, brothers, entourage, and senior members of the Council’s leadership, were arrested on Sunday and arrived today in Khartoum.

The official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reports that the Commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemeti), has affirmed that Hilal was arrested on Sunday at Misteriya area, North Darfur. Gen. Hemeti, says that Musa Hilal was “involved in a plot against Sudan which has external dimensions”.

Hemeti said that in addition to Hilal, a number of his aides and three of his sons have also been detained. He also referred to detention of “a person who holds a foreign nationality among the forces of Musa Hilal”, indicating that this man had advanced communication equipment, “a matter which confirms the involvement of foreign parties in the acts for undermining the security and stability in Darfur”.

Hemeti affirmed stability of the security situation at Mustariha area, reiterating determination of his forces to continue implementing their duties.

Sons and brothers

Sources from the area also confirm the Hilal’s sons Habib, Fathi, and Abdel Basset were also held, along with his brothers Omar Hilal, Adam Ramadan, and Mohamed Barma Yusuf.

Brothers, sons and affiliates of Hilal were also captured (RD)

The arrests seem to verify claims made by Hilal’s Council last month of a plan for the RSF to capture himand send him “alive or dead” to Khartoum. In a statement, the Council accused “influential parties” within the government of “seeking to punish Hilal”, who has refused to cooperate with the government’s current campaign of arms collection.

Witnesses have told Radio Dabanga that at least 11 members of the Border Guards militia were killed in Sunday’s clashes. Callers said that civilians, including at least three women, were also killed during Sunday’s clashes, but exact numbers have not yet been ascertained. The area is reportedly under siege – all roads in and out are controlled by the RSF. Large military reinforcements have arrived with “tanks, armoured vehicles, and 500 armed vehicles”.

Arms collection

A spokesman for the RSF, Colonel Abdelrahman El Jaali, confirmed the death of the RSF director of general supplies, Brigadier Abdelrahim Gumma, in Hilal’s heartland of Misteriya during the confrontations that led to the arrest. Col. El Jaali told SUNA that Gumma was killed when he went to investigate an ambush on two vehicles transporting Hilal-led militia elements arrested within the framework of the forcible arms collection campaign.

He stressed that the state will go ahead in its project for collecting weapons and confronting those who tend to undermine the national security.

Also on Sunday, a spokesman for the RSF, Colonel Abdelrahman El Jaali, announced the arrest of Haroun Mahmoud Madikheir, the spokesman for the Revolutionary Awakening Council at Wadi Bari south of Misteriya of Kutum locality in North Darfur. Madikheir was reportedly on his way to Chad with his bodyguards.

El Jaali said in a statement to SUNA that the rapid support militia managed to arrest the most important person in the leadership and the founder of the Revolutionary Awakening Council accompanied by his personal guard.

 

Sudan Tribune

Musa Hilal arrested after murder of Sudan’s RSF commander in Darfur

November 27, 2017 (KHARTOUM) – Reports emerging from North Darfur state on Monday say that Musa Hilal, a tribal leader and head of the Border Guards Forces (BGF) has been arrested by the Sudanese government militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after the murder of one its commander. On Sunday the official news agency, Suna reported the death of RSF director of general supplies Brigadier Abdel-Rahim Gumma in Mistiriyha, home area of Musa Hilal. RSF spokesperson told Suna that Gumma had been killed when he went to Mistiriyha to investigate an ambush on two vehicles transporting BBF elements arrested within the framework of the forcible arms collection campaign

“A force led by Brigadier Abdel Rahim Gumma moved to the scene of the attack and killed all the outlaws, and captured a number of them. The commander of the mobile force was martyred along with nine martyrs,” he said. In the first hours of Monday, reports from Mistiriyha claimed that Hilal had been killed. However different sources say Hilal was arrested and transported to El-Fasher. The detained tribal leader “is now flying to Khartoum in a military plane” a Sudan Tribune journalist said in a short message sent from the capital of North Darfur, El-Fasher.

Musa Hilal, the Mahameed tribal leader and head a tribal militia that took part in the counterinsurgency campaign, refused the merger of his BBF militiamen in the RSF which is now part of the Sudanese army.

Sudanese officials asked him to hand over the weapons of his militiamen but he also refused. He further declined tribal mediation to resolve the issue with the government.

 

North Darfur tribe leader’s house damaged

November 28 – 2017 MELLIT

King Yasser Hussein Ahmadi’s house was searched
thoroughly by RSF members

The house of King Yasser Hussein Ahmadi, the leader of the Berti tribe in North Darfur, was stormed by members of the Rapid Support Forces on Friday morning. His house has been searched several times.

The house search in Mellit locality resulted in the damage to some furniture and was conducted “in a humiliating manner”, the head of the Berti youth group, Mohamed El Haj Yousif, told Radio Dabanga.

He reported that a number of RSF members, driving 14 Land Cruisers, raided the King Ahmadi’s house. “They beat one of the guards, broke the outside door and searched the house.”

Inside, they broke chairs and parts of the tribal brass artefacts. “This is the fifth time his house has been searched in this shameful and unfortunate manner,” El Haj said. He was unable to report the reasons for the house searches.

 

Sudan Tribune

RSF launches arrest campaign at Darfur tribal leader hometown: residents

November 28, 2017 (EL-FASHER) – A number of residents said the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has carried out a large arrest campaign against youth and men at Mistiriyha, headquarters of the detained tribal leader Musa Hilal in North Darfur. Following heavy clashes between the government militia RSF and his Border Guards Forces (BGF) at Mistiriyha Sunday, Hilal and two of his sons along with several of his aides were arrested and transferred to Khartoum. A resident by the name of Ali Abu Bakr, who fled the bloody clashes, told Sudan Tribune Tuesday the SRF on Monday launched a wide arrest campaign against men and youth in areas around Mistiriyha.

“The situation is very bad in Mistiriyha … the RSF detained all men and the majority of the residents including women and children have been displaced … they fled towards the mountains without water or food … and he who goes to Mistiriyha to bring water will be detained and we have yet to count the number of the dead and lost,” he said.

He stressed the residents were subjected to improper treatment, saying the RSF launched a campaign targeting the local notables after the arrest of Hilal. “So we preferred to stay away from the area,” he said.

“Today, the RSF second commander, Major General Abdel- Rahim Hamdan Daglo, arrived in Mistiriyha and some residents came out to greet him but unfortunately his militiamen prevented the residents and arrested them,” he added.

Meanwhile, some reports from Mistiriyha indicated the RSF has cordoned off the area and prevented the residents from burying the dead, saying some of the bodies began to decompose in the open. For his part, the deputy governor of North Darfur state Mohamed Biraima Hasab al-Nabi has denied claims about the killing of women and children in Mistiriyha. In statements on Tuesday, Hasab al-Nabi said Hilal was captured without violence, saying the RSF has acted professionally during the clashes. He said the RSF fighters were violently resisted in Mistiriyha while they were pursuing the outlaws, saying 9 SRF militiamen have been killed besides two residents.

It is noteworthy that the RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (aka Hemitte) told the S24 TV on Monday that 13 of his men were killed and 35 others injured during the clashes. He also denied his militiamen have killed women and children in Mistiriyha, saying 6 BGF fighters were killed but he didn’t rule out the actual number might be more than that.

 

Children injured in North Darfur gunfire

November 29 – 2017 TAWILA

Two children were seriously injured when armed militants opened fire on a group returnees in the Katur area of Tawila locality on Monday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that armed elements in three Land Cruisers with machine guns and others on camels opened fire indiscriminately at a group of people who have returned to Katur area in the framework of voluntary repatriation.

They said that 12-year-old Saadia Hamid Eisa and seven-year-old Abdelhameed Abdelmajeed Adam were seriously injured. The attackers also stole 21 cows and five donkeys.

The attackers fled the area after the troops in Katur garrison intervened and opened dense fire in the air.

 

Sudan Tribune

23 people killed in North Darfur clashes with Musa Hilal fighters: army
November 29, 2017 (KHARTOUM) – North Darfur clashes between the government’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and fighters of the Border Guards Forces (BGF) of Musa Hilal resulted in the death of 23 people from the two sides, said the Sudanese army on Wednesday. In an expected development, the RSF stormed Hilal’s headquarters in North Darfur area of Mistariha following an ambush by the BGF for two vehicles of the Sudanese army militia which carries out a forcible weapons collection operation in the state. In a briefing to the National Assembly about the clashes on Thursday, General division Ali Mohamed Salim the State Minister Defence told the lawmakers that 14 RSF and 9 BGF were killed during the clashes. “The Rapid Support Forces have detained 50 wakening Revolutionary Council (ARC) members,” the minister further said, avoiding to designate the BGF fighters with their official name.

However, he indicated that Hilal will be tried by a military court, “because he is the leader of the Border Guards Forces which belong to the Sudanese Armed Forces”. Hilal refused to disarm his fighters or to join the RSF. The state minister accused the detained tribal leader of making Mistariha a hideout for all the outlaws in Darfur. He further said that what was done in Mistariha was part of the instructions of the armed forces within the framework of the ongoing campaign to collect weapons.

The minister said they arrested 50 fighters after the assault 30 of them were transported to Khartoum and that 20 others would be in Khartoum later. The capture of Musa Hilal and his commanders is seen as a new victory for the government forces in Darfur. However, while some observers say it would be of great help to restore stability, others believe it may ignite fierce fighting between the clans of Darfur Arab Rizeigat tribe.

The tribal leader was defiant during the past months and threatened to wage war against the government even in Khartoum. He is accused of seeking to foment a new armed rebellion in Darfur region and reaching out rebel leaders based abroad to work together against the government.

 

North Darfur Defence Minister denies civilian casualties in Misteriya raid

November 30 – 2017 MISTERIYA

North Darfur Minister of Defence, Ali Mohamed Salim, has confirmed the casualty figures in the raid in Misteriya in North Darfur on Sunday which resulted in the arrest of Musa Hilal, his sons, brothers, and many of his entourage, but denied claims of 12 civilian casualties.

Gen. Salim told the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) on Wednesday that 14 members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were killed, 24 others wounded, and eight members of Revolutionary Awakening Council died.

He pointed out that no aircraft or heavy guns were used during the Misteriya raid. He confirmed that a child was killed by a stray bullet during the crossfire; however “there were no other civilian casualties”.

The defence minister explained that 50 members of the Awakening Council were arrested, of whom 30 have already been transferred to Khartoum. He said the other 20 will be transferred to Khartoum later.

Misteriya raid

He denied that Hilal, his officer sons, and the non-commissioned officers are under house arrest. “They are being held in tight security by the general command where they will be subject to a Board of Inquiry that will bring them to a military trial.”

He refused to give any details about the foreign national arrested at Misteriya with Musa Hilal, saying only that “he was arrested in possession of communication equipment”.

However Member of Parliament Eisa Mustafa claims that at least 12 civilians died during the raid on Sunday. Witnesses who fled from and around Misteriya told Radio Dabanga that there was a campaign of arrests of youths and men conducted by the RSF.

In an interview with Radio Dabanga, they said that they fled to live rough in the mountains and valleys as the Misteriya area has been besieged and all the roads leading to it were closed since the events broke out Sunday.

Appeals via social media demand the siege to be lifted as it is apparently preventing people from burying the dead as bodies are left to decompose in the open.

Unicef

On Wednesday the Unicef Resident Representative, Abdallah Fadil, said that a UN delegation would be sent to Misteriya to find out the situation resulting from the clashes in the area.

Fadil told a news conference in Khartoum that a Unamid team would arrive in the area within the next few hours to conduct a field investigation.

He added that “we would investigate the violations against the civilians and children there, certainly there are children”.

Manoeuvres

On Tuesday the commander of the RSF, Mohammed Hamdan (Hemeti), arrived in Nyala and ordered all RSF members in South and East Darfur states to move to the headquarters in Um El Gura south of Nyala.

Witnesses said that hundreds of armed military vehicles headed to Um El Gura on Wednesday.

 

One dead, one maimed in North Darfur UXO blast

December 4 – 2017 SHANGIL TOBAYA

A man was killed and a woman had both hands blown off when an item if unexploded ordnance (UXO) detonated in North Darfur on Sunday.

A relative of one of the victims said that Hamid Harran Ismael died and Halima Eisa Ibrahim lost both hands in the blast at Kaja area north of Shangil Tobaya in Dar El Salam locality in North Darfur.

One of the relatives of the victims recounted that “One of them picked up a strange object and started to play with it. It instantly exploded killing Hamid instantly. Halima, who was taken to Shangil Tobaya for treatment.

Years of conflict have left Darfur and other war-torn areas of Sudan littered with unexploded ordnance (UXO). Radio Dabanga appeals to listeners throughout the region (and elsewhere in our reception area) not to touch any ‘unexploded’ grenades or other ammunition found in the field. Mark its position clearly to alert others, and report it immediately to a camp elder, Unamid and/or the local police.

 

Unamid “obstructed” in Darfur violence investigation

December 8 – 2017 MISTERIYA / KABKABIYA

A Unamid mission verifying reports of civilian casualties during intense fighting was initially barred from entering Kabkabiya in North Darfur. “They were not allowed to speak to residents.”

Witnesses in the area told this radio station that Sudanese forces, including the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), sent away a mission of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (Unamid) up to three times from Misteriya before allowing it to enter on Wednesday.

The attempted visit comes more than a week after the area witnessed heavy clashes between the RSF and local militias that answer to militia leader Sheikh Musa Hilal on 26 November.

The RSF accompanied the Unamid mission on its inspection of specific areas, but “prevented them from interviewing or talking to residents”, according to a source. “The RSF has hidden traces of fire and destruction that had taken place in the town. The mission returned the same day, hours later.”

The Sudanese military intelligence had given permission to the Unamid team after the Sudanese security service refused their entry to Misteriya.

Civilian casualties

Last week, militia leader Musa Hilal, his sons and a number of his aides were captured during heavy clashes between the RSF and Hilal’s militias known as the Border Guards, in Misteriya. State Minister of Defence Ali Mohamed Salim has denied claims that more than one civilian was killed or hurt in the fighting. He confirmed that a child was killed by a stray bullet during the crossfire.

Fourteen members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were killed, the minister reported, and eight members of Musa Hilal’s Revolutionary Awakening Council died.

Last week UNICEF Resident Representative Abdallah Fadil said that a UN delegation would be sent to Misteriya to find out the situation resulting from the clashes in the area and conduct a field investigation. Fadil: “We would investigate the violations against the civilians and children there, certainly there are children.”

Sudanese opposition parties aligned under the umbrella of the Sudan Appeal also called for a transparent, international investigation into the recent clashes, in a press statement released yesterday.

Investigators blocked

The UN-AU peacekeeping mission is withdrawing from the Darfur region and it completed the first phase of withdrawal in October. Sudanese authorities began to push for the exit of the UN-AU peacekeeping mission from Darfur, after Unamid officials urged an investigation into a mass rape in North Darfur’s Tabit on 31 October, 2014. Security authorities at the time also barred the investigative team from the site where the incident allegedly took place.

 

Sudan Tribune

Unknown gunmen steal 70 camels in North Darfur

December 8, 2017 (EL-FASHER) – Five unidentified gunmen on Wednesday night have stolen 70 camels from a native administrator at Tarny area in Tawila locality, North Darfur state. The owner of the stolen camels Dagash Ahmed Musa told Sudan Tribune that two gunmen have stolen his camels on Wednesday night before they were joined by three others after the looting. He pointed out that the gunmen fled towards Fanga area, Jebel Marra, saying they attempted to pursue the looters but failed due to rough roads.

Musa added the gunmen fired at them, saying “we don’t have arms because the government collected our weapons and we refrained from pursuing them in order not to lose any person”.

He said charges have been filed in Tawila and El-Fasher, pointing the government no longer allows victims of armed robberies to pursue the perpetrators. Tawila locality, some 60 kilometres north of El-Fasher, North Darfur capital have witnessed similar killing and looting incidents despite the ongoing campaign to collect illicit arms.

 

Six women gathering firewood attacked in North Darfur

December 12 – 2017 TABIT

Gunmen assaulted and injured six displaced women who were collecting straw in Tawila locality in North Darfur on Sunday.

Three of the six women were seriously injured at Tabit. A victim informed Radio Dabanga that armed herdsmen, riding camels, attacked them when they were out collecting firewood and straw west of Tabit.

“We were taken to the Tabit health centre,” she explained. “The armed herders killed three of our donkeys and burned straw and firewood.”

In an attempt to improve the security and stability in these regions, the Sudanese government launched a large-scale campaign in August to disarm civilians and collect illegal weapons and vehicles in Darfur and states of Kordofan. In November the Governor of North Darfur reported the collection of 7,830 weapons and the arrest of more than 130 people suspected of several violations, including criminal records, drugs, weapons, unlicensed vehicles, or previous crimes.

 

Firewood collectors injured in beating by herders in North Darfur

December 21 – 2017 TABIT

Eight women were severely injured in a beating from herders near Tabit north of Tawila in North Darfur on Wednesday.

One of the victims told Radio Dabanga that a group of displaced women were collecting firewood and straw when about 12 armed herders on camels attacked them beat them with rifle butts, sticks and whips and severely injured eight of them.

She alleges that the group that attacked them is known to the people of the area as affiliates of Omda Dagahsh. She pointed out that the group used to beat and expel the people on the pretext that the area is liberated and has become grazing land not for farming or wood collection.

The victims were Sadiya Yagoub, Hawa Suleiman, Shadia Yousif, Kubra Saleh, Nura Ishag, Darelsalam Yagoub, Aisha Zakariya, Halima Hassan and Fatima Ibrahim.

 

North Darfur elders detained by RSF in arms collection campaign

December 22 – 2017 SARAF OMRA

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has detained a group of elders of the native administration of Saraf Omra locality in North Darfur as part of the current weapons collection campaign over the past few days.

Sources from the area reported to Radio Dabanga the elders Abdelaziz Kalas, Abakar Wadi, Hamid Madri, Mohammed Firsha, Jugo and Basher were all detained, while the RSF also summoned various native administration leaders to their headquarters in the city to interrogate them for long hours, while they have already handed over their weapons a long time ago.

They said that there is discrimination in the collection of weapons. Some groups have reportedly refused to hand-over their arms in public and are taking refuge in the El Jou mountains southeast of Saraf Omra to avoid their leaders being hunted-down, arrested or summoned.

The Rapid Support Forces arrested nine imams and local leaders in Guldo locality in Central Darfur from Saturday to Monday on charges of the illegal possession of weapons.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) arrested nine sheikhs, including three imams, from Fuldon and Joi in Guldo over the weekend. RSF members and 30 of their vehicles were stationed in Katlwa to carry out the weapons search.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Darfur crimes: Two men killed, villagers beaten

January 5 – 2018 TAWILA / WADI SALEH / UM KEDDADA

Gunmen killed two factory workers in Tawila locality on Wednesday. In Central Darfur, people were beaten and forced by militiamen to keep food inside their town.

Armed men killed Adam Osman and Rayeldin Mohamed Adam in El Adareib El Ashara in North Darfur’s Tawila locality on Wednesday. A relative of one of the dead reported to Radio Dabanga that armed herders, riding camels, opened fire on the two men while they were working at a brick factory.

Beatings

Members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have subjected residents of Amarjadeed market in Wadi Saleh locality to severe beatings, witnesses in Central Darfur said.

A RSF group that was led by Maj. Mohamed Bonjos raided Amarjadeed’s weekly market and ordered the owners of crops not to sell millet or sorghum for more than SDG 700. They also ordered people not to take these crops out of the area.

A witness said that when the merchants and owners of crops protested against the decision, they were beaten and expelled from the market. Some of them were robbed of their belongings.

“People filed reports against the RSF members with the police in Garsila,” he concluded.

Robbery

Gunmen opened fire on a vehicle that belongs to the state’s medical supplier and wounded the director of a hospital and his driver in Hijer Jabir in Um Keddada locality on Wednesday.

The medical director of Jabir hospital in northern El Taweisha, Mohamed Adam, and the driver of the vehicle, Hadi Yagoub, were hit by the bullets and had to be transferred to El Fasher Hospital.

They were on an official mission to El Taweisha, Um Keddada and El Lait clinics for periodic supervision and also to open pharmacies in Hijer Jabir and El Taweisha hospitals.

 

Firewood collector abducted in North Darfur

January 7 – 2018 TAWILA

Armed herders kidnapped a 35-year-old woman in Tawila locality in North Darfur on Friday.

“Hawa Adam Ishag was collecting firewood together with three other women in Mashrou Abuzeid near Dubbo El Omda, when a group of three armed herdsmen attacked them,” an eyewitness reported to Radio Dabanga.

“The three other women managed to escape, but Hawa was not that lucky,” she said. “The janjaweed seized her and took her with them to an unknown destination.”

 

Man killed near factory in Tawila, North Darfur

January 11 – 2018 TAWILA

A factory worker was killed west of Tawila in North Darfur on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, armed herders killed Mohamed Ahmed Hussein at Dulu district, west of Tawila. Hussein was working in a charcoal factory in Dulu.

A relative one of the deceased told Radio Dabanga that the gunmen shot Hussein and that he was killed on the spot.

“This incident was the third of its kind this week. Armed herders have also threatened to beat or kill anyone who comes to this area to collect wood or go farming,” the relative reported.

A week ago, gunmen killed two brick factory workers in El Aradeib El Ashara in Tawila.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Fires destroy dozens of houses in Darfur towns

January 11 – 2018 KUTUM / AZUM

Fires have destroyed dozens of houses in Kutum and Azum localities this week, affecting villagers and people who recently returned from camps for displaced.

North and Central Darfur have witnessed fires that destroyed dozens of houses in Teital, Kutum locality (North Darfur), and Balali, Azum locality (Central Darfur).

In Teital 33 houses were destroyed and large quantities of food, including cash crops, went up in flames. 76 houses burned to the ground in Balalali.

The press office of the Governor of Central Darfur, Jaafar Abdelhakam, said that the governor has promised every affected family in Balali a compensation of SDG 2,000, as well as a sack of millet.

Activists in Teital appealed to the neighboring villages in Kutum and to be generous and provide food and shelter to the affected families.

The village of Balali hosts more than 370 families who returned from camps for displaced people under the voluntary repatriation programme in Sudan.

Model villages

In July 2011, the Sudanese government signed the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur with former Darfur rebel movements, and pledged to construct model villages intended to house displaced Darfuris returning to their home areas. The Government of Qatar has financially supported Khartoum in this.

Most of the Darfur displaced categorically reject returning home or relocation to model villages as they consider the situation far from secure enough to leave the camps.

 

Explosion kills boy in North Darfur

January 12 – 2018 EL FASHER

An unidentified eleven-year-old boy was killed in an explosion of an unknown object near El Mawashi market in North Darfur on Wednesday.

The child found a foreign object in a dumpster near the market in El Fasher, the state capital. He started to play with it, which triggered the explosion and killed him on the spot, a witness reported to Radio Dabanga.

The boy could not yet be identified because his body was ripped into pieces.

 

Rapes by militiamen in North Darfur, South Kordofan

January 24 – 2018 SARAF OMRA / UM BRAMBETA

A 16-year-old has been raped, allegedly by a member of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia near Um Jahara village north Saraf Omra on Monday. In Um Brambeta in South Kordofan, a 50-year-old farmer was raped on January 14.

A member of the 16-year-old told Radio Dabanga that the incident happened when the girl went into the village valley to tie her donkey to the grass, where the militia member threatened and raped her.

He said that when the village residents learned of the incident, they notified the RSF near the village who arrested the alleged perpetrator and took him to their headquarters in Saraf Omra.

Activists in Saraf Umra expressed concern that the troops would cover-up their colleague’s act to settle this serious issue away from the law.

The activists pointed to other concerns such as the emergence of members of the militiamen in uniforms wearing Kadamol scarves with weapons at Saraf Omra market in broad daylight without being confronted by any party, which threatens with insecurity and chaos.

South Kordofan

Human Rights and Development Organisation (HUDO) reports that on January 14, a woman farmer identified only as SK was raped by two members of Popular Defence Forces (PDF) in Um Brambita in South Kordofan.

A HUDO statement says that the victim reported the case to Um Brambeta police but the police did not carry out investigations or arrest the perpetrators.

”On 14th January 2017, SK (50) was in her garden one kilometre away from her village harvesting corn. As she was working, three armed men dressed in PDF uniform came closer, blocked and threatened her. Without delay, two of the soldiers started to rape her in turns while the third one observed and guarded them.

“SK reported what happened to her at Um-Brambeta police. The police gave her “form eight (8)” to enable her undergo a medical check-up of which she did. SK returned to Police with the medical report confirming that she was raped. Then police opened the case even without going to the scene of crime. The victim proved that given chance, she can recognize the perpetrators in order to help with investigations. But, the police told her to go and comeback after one month,” the report reads.

“HUDO is very concerned about the situation of women in SK State and the escape of perpetrators in such cases. Also the poor cooperation of police is an issue.”

HUDO calls upon the Sudan government to carry out genuine investigations and apprehend the perpetrators, Embassies in Sudan to put more pressure on Sudan government to uphold the rule of law, and for the Sudan government to end the impunity of its militias.

The HUDO statement says it centre regularly receives reports about rape cases committed by members of security agencies in South Kordofan. Generally, police opens such cases as “anonymous perpetrators”. Other victims are not given chance to open a case though the perpetrators are known and protected. The following are some cases that were reported:

• On January 3 2016, F. M, 17 years old, student, was raped by three soldiers from RSF on gun point in Al-Abbasiya. The police did not record (open) the case.
• On January 31 2016, M. A. E, 43 years old was raped on gun pointing by four armed soldiers from RSF. The police refused to file the case and confiscated her cellphone and prevented her from leaving Al Abbasiya town.
• On March 21 2016, U. D. K, 11 years old and paralyzed (walking disability) girl was raped at Talodi town by two soldiers from reserve police, they were seen by her mother while they were escaping. The case was opened at Talodi police office against anonymous perpetrator. There were no further investigations.
• On September 16 2016, A. G .N 24 years old and R. G. N 18 years old were raped in Talodi town by two Policemen from the Criminal Investigation Unit. The case was opened at Talodi police office against other two men who were not even at the scene crime.

 

Lawyers: Women arbitrarily flogged for ‘indecent dress’ in North Darfur capital

January 24 – 2018 EL FASHER

Lawyers in the North Darfur capital El Fasher have denounced a campaign by the military police forces in charge of the protection of El Fasher of arbitrarily extra-judiciary flogging of women and girls in the markets and the public streets on charges of wearing indecent clothing.

Residents of El Fasher said they have seen a number of women university students and employees going to work and study rooms being subjected to random flogging on charges of wearing indecent clothing.

The campaign which has lasted for days in the city has widely been denounced. The lawyers in El Fasher told Radio Dabanga that “what had happened is a flagrant violation of the law and the constitution”.

They called on the competent authorities to immediately investigate the incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.

‘Inappropriate dress’

Many women have been tried under Article 152 of Sudan’s Penal Code. It is applied to “Whoever does in a public place an indecent act or an act contrary to public morals, or wears an obscene outfit, or contrary to public morals, or causing an annoyance to public feelings shall be punished with flogging, which may not exceed forty lashes or with fine or with both.”

On December 21 last year, the Court of Public Order in Khartoum dismissed all charges against women’s rights activist Winnie Omar, who stood accused of ‘wearing indecent clothing’. Omar was arrested on December 10, hours after attending the hearing of 24 women who had been charged with indecency for wearing trousers at a party.

 

Women’s rights activists decry ‘disgraceful’ arbitrary floggings in North Darfur

January 25 – 2018 EL FASHER

Dr Ihsan Fegeiri, coordinator of the No to Oppression of Women activist group in Sudan, has voiced her group’s outrage at reports of arbitrary flogging of women and girls by members of the military police on the streets and in the markets of El Fasher.

The “No to Suppression of Women” initiative expressed its deep concern at the violations committed against women and girls in El Fasher by military forces where they were beaten and lashed after being accused of wearing ‘indecent closing’.

Dr Fegeiri confirmed to Radio Dabanga yesterday that the forces issue and enforced the ‘sentences’ in a chaotic and inhumane manner. Women and girls have been flogged on their way to classrooms, the work places, and in the market.

In its statement, the initiative condemned what it called”the disgraceful behaviour of the forces that flogged girls under the Public Order Act which is arbitrary and flawed both in text and practice.

The statement condemned the violent act against these girls, and called for the government called to bring the perpetrators to justice, as well as drop the Public Order Act and all legislation that demeans women.

‘Inappropriate dress’

Many women have been tried under Article 152 of Sudan’s Penal Code. It is applied to “Whoever does in a public place an indecent act or an act contrary to public morals, or wears an obscene outfit, or contrary to public morals, or causing an annoyance to public feelings shall be punished with flogging, which may not exceed forty lashes or with fine or with both.”

On December 21 last year, the Court of Public Order in Khartoum dismissed all charges against women’s rights activist Winnie Omar, who stood accused of ‘wearing indecent clothing’. Omar was arrested on December 10, hours after attending the hearing of 24 women who had been charged with indecency for wearing trousers at a party.

 

Villagers attacked by herders in North Darfur’s Tawila

January 29 – 2018 TAWILA

Herders shot a man and abducted another in Tawila locality, east of Jebel Mara, in separate incidents over the weekend.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a listener reported that three armed herdsmen shot Khater Hamed Yousef on his land in the area of Agrouma, eight km north of Katur, on Saturday.

“Yousef was hit in his leg,”he said. “The attackers then took his 28 goats from him.”

The second incident occurred on Sunday, in the area of Dolma, 15 km west of Tabit.

“Four militant herders intercepted a group of people who were on their way to collect firewood in the afternoon. They seized Haroun Saleh Juma and took him with them to an unknown destination,” a witness told this station.

 

North Darfur: ‘Detainees severely tortured by militiamen’

January 29 – 2018 SARAF OMRA

Six detainees in the Saraf Omra Prison in North Darfur have reportedly been subjected to torture by paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Multiple sources told Radio Dabanga that native administration leaders Omda Adam Jarar Nahar (75), Omda Mohamed Yahya Abdallah (70), Abdallah Hammad Ismail (65), and Hussein Adam Jadallah (60) who works as a nurse at the Saraf Omra Hospital, accountant Abdelrahman Adam Jadallah (55), and Ibrahim Ibrahim Deidan (45) were severely tortured inside the prison.

The men were held by members of the SRF, Sudan’s main government militia, last week. Reasons for the detention remain unclear.

Earlier this month, a pharmacy employee died by torture during his detention by agents of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) in Gireida, South Darfur.

Radio Dabanga reported on Sunday about maltreatment and torture of a communist leader and a journalist detained by the NISS in Khartoum. Other political detainees have reportedly been transported from Khartoum to prisons in Darfur.

 

North Darfur restaurateur ‘tortured to death’ after wife beaten by militiamen

February 7 – 2018 JEBEL AMER

A North Darfur restaurant owner has allegedly been ‘tortured to death’ by paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after his wife was beaten until she miscarried.

Relatives claim to Radio Dabanga that Ahmed Nasreldin Adam (37), a restaurant owner at Jebel Amer in North Darfur was tortured to death by members of the Rapid Support militia in their camp on Sunday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that the wife of the deceased clashed with another woman and filed a complaint against her adversary to the RSF who then severely beat her until she miscarried.

They explained that Adam went to the RSF base to enquire about the incident where the militia tortured him to death and then carried his body and threw it at the restaurant.

Witnesses said that the deceased was buried at Ghurra Zawiya on Monday.

Late week, Radio Dabanga reported that six detainees in the Saraf Omra Prison in North Darfur have reportedly been subjected to torture by paramilitaries of the RSF.

Multiple sources told Radio Dabanga that native administration leaders Omda Adam Jarar Nahar (75), Omda Mohamed Yahya Abdallah (70), Abdallah Hammad Ismail (65), and Hussein Adam Jadallah (60) who works as a nurse at the Saraf Omra Hospital, accountant Abdelrahman Adam Jadallah (55), and Ibrahim Ibrahim Deidan (45) were severely tortured inside the prison.

The men were held by members of the SRF, Sudan’s main government militia, last week. Reasons for the detention remain unclear.

In January, a pharmacy employee died by torture during his detention by agents of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) in Gireida, South Darfur.

(Report also in South Darfur)

Darfur crimes: Three men killed, firewood collectors abducted

February 9 – 2018 EL MALAM / TABIT

Three people were killed in violent events in South Darfur’s El Malam on Wednesday. Armed men abducted four women and a man and reportedly raped several of them near Tabit in North Darfur.

Hasaballah El Nur, Nureldeim Yousif Fadul and one of the herders were killed at Keila area 12 kilometres west of El Malam in South Darfur.

Two herders attacked three women on their way to Keila, 12 kilometres west of El Malam, after collecting firewood. The women later reported that the assailants attempted to rape them, a sheikh in El Malam told Radio Dabanga.

The women resisted and one of the herders was hit with an ax in the head, leading to his immediate death. The other herder escaped. Afterwards the women handed themselves and the weapon of the dead over to the police in El Malam.

According to the sheikh, seven relatives of the killed herder went out the same evening to look for his body. “The relatives encountered a group of people returning to Keila after collecting firewood. They shot dead Hasaballah El Nur and Nureldeim Yousif Fadul on the spot.”

This incident has also been reported to the Keila police. “But the police has not gone out to track the culprit, as the corpse is still lying out in the open, they said,” according to the sheikh.

People abducted, raped

On Wednesday, four women and a man were abducted from Kondro area, 18 km west of Tabit, in North Darfur. Family members of the victims told Radio Dabanga that the abduction was carried out by seven armed men in military uniforms, driving a Land Cruiser.

The men intercepted a group of five women and three men who were returning after collecting firewood near Kondro. Two men and a woman managed to escape while Aisha Adam Abdallah (15), Khadija Ahmed Abdallah (25), Maryam Abakar Ibrahim (27), Fatima Ahmed Khatir (32), and Zein Adam Zein (35), were seized, put in the car and taken to an unknown place.

The family members explained that a force of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) moved out after they filed a report about the abduction, to hunt down the kidnappers.

They found Fatima Ahmed Khatir and Khadija Ahmad Abdallah out in the open, whom had lost consciousness and their bodies showed marks of rape. The women have been taken to Tawila’s health centre.

The fate of the three other abductees is unkown at this time of reporting.

 

Herders shoot firewood collector in North Darfur

February 12 – 2018 FANGA

Armed herdsmen injured a farmer in the area of Fanga in North Darfur’s Tawila locality on Sunday.

A fellow farmer reported to Radio Dabanga from Fanga that three herders riding camels shot Ayoub Abdelhadi while he was collecting firewood near Dolo village, north of Fanga, on Sunday morning.

“He broke his leg. After we had given him first aid, we transported him to the health unit of Fanga garrison,” he said.

In the past four weeks, this station reported about numerous attacks by militant herders on farmers, workers, and firewood collectors in Darfur. In Tawila locality alone, groups of armed herdsmen shot dead three workers, woundeda farmer, and abducted six people in five separate incidents.

Boy killed as militiamen shoot at children in North Darfur

February 19 – 2018 KABKABIYA

A 15-year-old boy was shot dead and mutilated by militiamen near Sortony camp for the displaced in North Darfur on Saturday morning. In response, the camp residents marched to the Unamid base in the neighbourhood calling for protection.

“Ahmed Adam Ali was collecting firewood with three other boys not far from the camp, when a group of militiamen suddenly began to shoot at the children for no reason,” the head of the Sortony Women and Children Coordination Unit told Radio Dabanga.

“Ahmed was hit in his leg. The other boys managed to escape and reach the camp,” she said.

“It seems that the attackers were not satisfied with this as they completed their crime by firing more bullets into Ahmed’s chest and head, causing his instant death. They then mutilated his body.”

The incident led to an angry reactions in the camp. Large numbers of displaced marched to the Sortony base of the UN-AU peacekeeping mission and called for protection.

“They demanded Unamid to bring the body of the boy to a morgue in Kabkabiya, report the incident to the authorities, and bring the perpetrators to justice,” the camp coordinator reported.

She added that the child’s body was transferred to Kabkabiya Hospital. “He was buried in the town’s cemetery after the completion of all required legal measures.”

Girl raped near North Darfur camp

February 20 – 2018 SHANGIL TOBAYA

A girl was raped near a camp for displaced people in Shangil Tobaya, North Darfur, on Friday.

Sources in Shadad camp in Dar El Salam locality reported that several armed men attacked the displaced girl, who was collecting straw together with three boys from the camp, at Tagali Wamagali. It lies west of Shangil Tobaya.

The men raped the girl under threat of arms. The boys fled and reported the incident to the police in Shangil Tobaya which has not been able to catch the perpetrators by Monday, other sources confirmed to Radio Dabanga.

Kidnappers kill North Darfur camp resident

February 21 – 2018 SORTONY

A man was killed by his kidnappers in Kabkabiya locality on Saturday, while his brother is still being held by the militiamen.

Adam Adam and his brother Abdelmowla Adam were kidnapped by militiamen south of Sortony camp for displaced people in Kabkabiya, North Darfur, on Saturday. Adam’s body was discovered two days after their abduction, on Monday, in the open four kilometres west of Sortony.

Abdelmowla is reportedly still being held by the kidnappers.

The coordinator of camps in Kabkabiya told Radio Dabanga yesterday that the locality commissioner, together with a police force, went out to chase the perpetrators and to free Abdelmowla.

On Saturday morning, a 15-year-old boy was shot at multiple times and mutilated by militiamen near Sortony camp. The attack sparked camp residents into marching to the base of the African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission (Unamid) and demand protection.

Sortony

Sortony, adjacent to the Unamid base, is a site where people who were displaced from the mountainous Jebel Marra in Darfur in early 2016 have sought refuge. Increased hostilities between the Sudanese army, assisted by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, and the Sudan Liberation Movement under the leadership of Abdelwahid El Nur have forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes to other areas in Darfur, including Sortony.

The area has been prone to tension between herders, militias, and the displaced community, resulting in abductions and fighting. In May 2016, herders accused members of the displaced community of stealing their livestock and demanded the return of their cattle. Armed herders then established an intermittent blockade on the Kabkabiya-Sortony road, an essential route for the provision of water and humanitarian aid.

In 2016 Unamid estimated that some 22,000 displaced people were at the Sortony site; community leaders put the figure at 37,000.

Three dead, 12 wounded in North Darfur raids

March 1 – 2018 TAWILA / KABKABIYA

Three people were shot dead and two wounded in an ambush by unidentified gunmen in the area of Libei in Tawila locality in North Darfur (eastern Jebel Marra) on Tuesday. Ten people were wounded in a raid on Misteriya market in Kabkabiya locality.

Yesterday, residents from the villages around Libei told Radio Dabanga that after carrying out the attack, the gunmen stole about 300 livestock and fled.

On Tuesday Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militiamen opened fire and wounded ten people at Misteriya market in Kabkabiya locality in North Darfur.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that six of the people who were seriously wounded were taken by helicopter to El Fasher for treatment.

The Students Association Misteriya condemned the incident and held President Al Bashir, the vice-President Hasabo, and the leader of the Rapid Support Forces Hemeti responsible.

The wounded included Amin Adam of the Border Police, Ahmed Bakhit, Sheikh Adam Hamdan, Hassan Osman, Abdelrahman Hamdan, Adam Hasabelrasoul, Yousef Hussein, Yousif Ibrahim, Adam Saleh, Mohamed Adam, Alaeldin Adam, and Ali Adam Yousef.

 

Darfur authorities, displaced voice different views on security situation

March 12 – 2018 EL FASHER / ZALINGEI / NYALA

A farmer was injured and three others were abducted by militiamen in North Darfur on Saturday. The MP for Kutum doubts the possibility of voluntary return in the region because of the continuing insecurity. The government of Central Darfur has started preparations for the return of displaced from the camps after “the successful disarmament campaign” of last year. Displaced in Darfur have expressed their doubts about the voluntary return projects. The participants of a conference on peaceful co-existence in South Darfur on Sunday recommended the strengthening of the native administration in the state.

“Militiamen under the leadership of Ibrahim Abubaker riding in two vehicles assaulted villagers tending their land in Lamena, in the area of Abu Sakin, on Saturday,” a farmer reported to Radio Dabanga.

“In the ensuing fight, El Fadil Mohamed Ali was injured. They left him and took Abubaker El Doma, his brother Mohamed, and veterinarian Abdelmajid Ahmed to an unknown destination,” he said.

‘Dangerous precedent’

El Tayeb Kafout, member of the federal Parliament for the Kutum-Fata Borno constituency, condemned the attack.

In a parliamentary session on Sunday, Kafout described the incident as “a dangerous precedent” for the near future, and warned that many displaced who will return to their areas of origin “may suffer the same fate”.

According to the MP, the continuing militia attacks on farmers and villagers constitute “a major challenge to the state governor’s decision to start the voluntary return programmes”.

He pointed to the comprehensive disarmament campaign in the region last year after the Sudanese president ordered the collection of illegal weapons and a number of emergency measures in the country, to begin with the western region. He called on the Darfur authorities to enhance their efforts to protect the people and continue with the disarmament campaign.

Arms collection, reform of militias

In August last year, the Rapid Support Forces, Sudan’s main government militia, and army troops began collecting illegal arms and unlicensed vehicles in Darfur, as part of a large disarmament campaign in the country.

The campaign is to be followed by a reform of “the supporting forces of the army”, by which the various government militias will be dissolved. The members are to join the RSF.

In end December however, North Darfur Governor Abdelwahid Yousif acknowledged that the arms collection disarmament did not lead to the planned results that far. He pointed to the large spread of arms in North Darfur, and stressed that there was “still a long way to go”.

‘Strategic project’

Jaafar Abdelhakam, Governor of Central Darfur and chairman of the Higher Committee for Voluntary Return in the state considers the resettlement of displaced people and refugees in their areas of origin as “a strategic project adopted by the state’s leadership after the success of the weapons collection campaign”.

In his address to the first session of the Higher Committee in the state capital of Zalingei on Sunday, the governor instructed “the specialised subcommittees to develop visions, programmes, and budgets, and submit them for approval during the next session next Sunday”.

The head of the native administration in Central Darfur, Sese Fadul Sese, called on the Presidency to continue the disarmament campaign “to reassure the displaced so that they will be able to return to their reconstructed villages and enter the production circle.

“This will guarantee the success of the voluntary return project,” he added.

‘Memorial month’

Sheikh Abdelrazig Yousef, spokesman for the Darfur Displaced General Coordination told Radio Dabanga on Sunday that the camp residents insist on justice, and want “Al Bashir and other Sudanese criminals” be arrested and brought to trial at the International Criminal Court.

He further proposed to make March “a special memorial month for the victims of rape and genocide in Darfur”.

The community leader also accused the Sudanese authorities of impeding the provision of humanitarian aid to the displaced in Darfur. “They are confiscating relief goods that are ready to be transported to the people living in the camps,” he said.

He added that the displaced consider the current voluntary return projects initiated by the government as “intimidation.

“They want the people living in the camps to forcibly return to their villages so as to obliterate the marks of displacement,” he said.

Native administration

The conference on peaceful co-existence in Um Dukhun locality in South Darfur concluded on Sunday with recommendations concerning the provision of police and judicial services in the locality, and the enacting of legislation that enable native administration leaders to practise their function as keepers of the social fabric and security situation in the region.

The participants recommended the implementation of the demarcation between the states and localities.

They as well called for the provision of clean drinking water to humans and animals.

They further advised the Ministry of Social Affairs to set up women’s development centres, develop opportunities for women to participate in institutions to serve the community and sports programmes for youths, and to open psychiatric centres.

Another important recommendation concerned the support of reconciliation committees and the implementation of the outcomes of the reconciliation conferences between the Taisha and Salamat tribes.

 

20 homes lost as winds fan North Darfur capital blaze

March 13 – 2018 EL FASHER

Intense winds fanned a fire that started in El Masani district east of El Fasher in North Darfur on Sunday evening.

Witnesses told radio Dabanga that the fire broke out and quickly spread. At least 20 homes were laid waste, their contents completely destroyed. There were no casualties nor injuries reported, however no value can yet be placed on the substantial material damage.

The families from the homes destroyed by the fire are now reportedly destitute and living in the open without shelter after all of their belongings and food supplied went up in smoke.

Callers appealed for humanitarian assistance for the victims.

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Sudan Armed Forces raid Darfur market: eight held, six injured

March 13 – 2018 DERIBAT / TAWILA / KABKABIYA 

Members of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) stationed at Deribat in Darfur’s east Jebel Marra stormed the weekly village market, assaulted the people, arrested eight of them and injured six others on Sunday morning.

Residents of Deribat reported that the members of the SAF arrested Yahya Ahmed Hussein, Abulbasher Abdelrazig, Mubarak Haroun, Younis Ali, Abdeljabbar Ali Idris, Kubra Adam Musa, Mariam Ibrahim, and Kaltoum Sharif Adam.

A merchant from the weekly market, which brings together all residents of nearby villages, said that the storming of the market by troops terrorised the shoppers and prompted them to flee the market.

He said the troops also attacked the shoppers with rifle butts and daggers causing injuries to Hashim Haroun Abdelkarim, Salim Mohamed Ibrahim, Sara Yagoub Eisa, Musa Yousif Haroun, Mariam Abakar Hussain, and Suleiman Yousif Hamid.

He added that the troops also prevented vehicles coming from Nyala in South Darfur and El Fasher in North Darfur from loading goods from the market and forced them to return empty.

Tawila

On Sunday the security services arrested Abdelnasir Abdelrahman Abdallah from the market of Tawila in North Darfur without explanation, took him to the security offices in Tawila and denied him visit by his family members.

Activists in Tawila called for his immediate release or trial and allowing his family and lawyers to visit him.

Kabkabiya

Members of the main government Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia arrested two people from Kabkabiya and took them to Sarf Umra in North Darfur on Sunday.

Witnesses and sources told Radio Dabanga that the rapid support militia forces led by Abu Shouk arrested Hassan Eisa, nicknamed Hassan Shamasi, and one of his relatives because of their demand for ‘blood money’ for their relative. He was killed at the gate of Umlaota, west of Kabkabiya during a recent attack by militiamen led by Abdallah Ganga, that also led to the death of two more people and the burning part of the village.

The sources told Radio Dabanga that the arrest of the two was only to prevent them from demanding the payment of the blood money.

Herders chop-off North Darfur farmer’s hand

March 15 – 2018 JEBEL MARRA / KUTUM

Armed herders have stabbed a farmer and chopped-off his hand in Tawila locality (popularly known as eastern Jebel Marra) in North Darfur on Wednesday.

A relative of the victim told Radio Dabanga that three armed herders attacked farmer Mohamed Ahmed Hamid while he was tilling his farm at area Suri area near Khazan Tunjur, ordered him to immediately leave the farm as the area has become a pasture not for farming, and when he refused, one of the herders chopped-off his right hand with a sword.

Hamid lost a lot of blood and was taken in critical condition to Tawila Hospital.

He said the herders told them that what happened to Hamid is a warning to anyone else who comes to the area to farm or collect hay. The herders reportedly threatened to kill anyone else, and not just cut-off their hand.

Kutum

A number of farmers were injured at Tuma village, 10 km east of Kutum in North Darfur by beatings and flogging by herders.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that on Saturday armed herders riding two Land Cruisers led by Ibrahim Abubaker attacked Tuma village where the residents returned last month as part of the voluntary return, beat and injured them, one of them named El Fadil Mohamed Ali was seriously injured.

The witnesses said the gunmen kidnapped three residents of the village, took them to Damirat Um Sayala, held them there for two consecutive days and only released them last Monday.

They pointed that the kidnappers told them that the area is liberated and has become a pasture for their cattle and camels.

They threatened to beat and kill them if they do not return to where they came from.

The kidnapped were Abubakar Yousef El Doma, a basic school teacher, Abdelmajid Ahmad Abakar, a veterinary assistant, and Mutasim Abdallah.

MP: RSF ‘illegally confiscated 321 vehicles’ in North Darfur – Libya border area

March 15 – 2018 EL MALHA

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia have been accused of illegally confiscating of 321 vehicles from their owners during the past ten days at the area of Jebel Eisa near the town of El Malha, that sees much traffic across the border to Libya, without explaining the reasons.

In an interview with Radio Dabanga, MP Siham Hasan said that 10 days ago, 26 large trucks, 240 small vehicles, two agricultural tractors, a bulldozer, and a crane were confiscated. Last week, 22 vehicles from El Malha area, three large vehicles, and 26 small vehicles from the Karib El Tom area were transferred to Rizig area, one of the headquarters of the RSF militia.

Hasan considered the act as illegal and would cause damage and financial losses to the owners.

She held the governor of North Darfur the responsibly for seizing the vehicles and called on the Vice President Hasabo Abdelrahman to intervene and follow the enforcement of his previous decisions by cancelling the VAT from vehicles coming from Libya.

Arrests, fines after North Darfur land protest

March 18 – 2018 TEITEL

Residents of Teitel in Mellit locality, North Darfur were reportedly beaten an assaulted by police and militiamen when they protested the redistribution of their land for development.

Callers told Radio Dabanga that 11 people were arrested by police and members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. They included a woman and three minors.

They say that that Mellit locality distributed their lands west of the town for a housing plan for 2,000 homes. When they refused and gathered in protest against the decision, the militiamen and policemen intervened, beat them with batons and whips and opened fire into the air to disperse them.

Four of the people arrested were immediately sentenced to six months, including a higher secondary school student, who were also given fines of fines of SDG 2,000 each. The other eight were acquitted.

The residents of Teitel have demanded that the decision be reversed.

 

Attack by armed herders in North Darfur leaves two dead

April 1 – 2018 TAWILA

Two people were shot dead and five others wounded in an attack by armed herders near Dubo El Omda in North Darfur’s Tawila locality on Friday.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a villager reported that a group of armed herders riding in a Land Cruiser and others on motorcycles, camels and horses, stormed the area of Barkorou, 15 kilometres west of Dubo El Omda, in what is locally known as eastern Jebel Marra.

“They indiscriminately opened fire on the people in the area. Abdelrazig Ibrahim and Yagoub Abdelrahman Eisa were killed instantly. Kalthoum Eisa, Maryam Adam, Ezzeldin Haroun, Abakar Yahya, and Hamid Idris sustained several bullet wounds,” he said.

The attackers then left the area, taking dozens of livestock from the villagers.

Two injured in militia attack on North Darfur returnee village

April 2 – 2018 TAWILA

Two formerly displaced people were wounded in a shooting in Turbo village in North Darfur’s Tawila on Saturday.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, the Sheikh of Turbo reported that militiamen riding in two Land Cruisers and others on camels began shooting at the village at about 9 pm.

Maryam Eisa (12) and Abdelmajid Haroun sustained bullet wounds, he said. After the villagers fled their homes, the attackers left, taking with them about 17 sheep and three donkeys.

Turbo lies 15 km south of Dubo El Omda in Tawila locality. The sheikh said that about 30 families returned from the Shadad camp for the displaced near Shangil Tobaya a month and a half ago.

He added that the same militiamen as well stole seven horses and carts belonging to residents of the camp who went out to collect firewood near the camp on Saturday morning.

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Blind sheikh detained in Central Darfur

April 4 – 2018 ZALINGEI

On Monday afternoon the security services arrested Sheikh Matar Younis, a cleric and native administrator in Darfur, from his home in the stadium district of Zalingei.

El Shafee Abdallah, the coordinator of displaced camps in Central Darfur, told Dabanga radio that a security force arrested the sheikh from his house and took him to their offices.

Abdallah explained that Sheikh Younis, a blind, prominent cleric who is over 60 years old, has a Koran School in Zalingei.

He said that Sheikh Younis always stood with the concerns of the Sudanese people, especially the displaced. He condemned the arrest of the activist cleric and called for his release and held the security services and the state responsible for any harm afflicting him.

Attack

Two people were wounded by gunfire by militiamen in an attack on the villages of Dubo El Omda in Tawila locality in North Darfur.

People told Radio Dabanga that the attack was carried out by a group of militias in two Land Cruisers, and on motorcycles, camels and horses.

They said that at around 8 am on Tuesday the gunmen fired the densely populated villages of Dubo El Omda, wounding Hamdallah Yousif Hamid and Ibrahim Ishag Younis. They then stormed the villages and seized about 400 cows and left the area.

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Darfur: 50k civilians taking refuge in Jebel Marra caves

April 5 – 2018 LIBEI

An estimated 50,000 people displaced by recent fighting between government troops and rebels in Darfur’s Jebel Marra, are reportedly taking refuge in mountain caves in the Libei area.

Voluntary work activists estimated the number of those fleeing their villages in the eastern areas of Jebel Marra after the government attacks at about 50,000. Activists told Radio Dabanga that these civilians have been displaced from the areas of Sawani, Terongafogi, Owru, and Rokona after the government attack and the battles with the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdelwahid El Nur (SLM-AW).

Activists said the civilians in the caves are sleeping on stones with no water or food.

The association of displaced people and refugees said that the government attacks have led to the burning of 11 villages and displacement of their residents, confirming that the humanitarian organisations and Unamid have not arrived to provide help.

The spokesman of the association Hussein Abusharati called on them via Radio Dabanga to urgently rescue the civilians and provide them with food and medicine.

Robbery

On Tuesday one person was killed and five were wounded in an armed robbery at Sortony – Kabkabiya road in North Darfur.

Passengers reported that gunmen opened fire on a commercial vehicle on its way from Kabkabiya to Sortony, instantly killed assistant driver Adam Abdelsadig, 18 and wounded Abdelrazig Juma, the driver of the vehicle, Fatima Ahmed, Saleh Abdelkarim, and brothers Gamareldin and Najmeldin Ahmed Abdelkarim.

A passenger confirmed that the gunmen robbed them of cash, baggage, and goods

 

(Report also in West Darfur)

Darfur fires burn two children, damage houses

April 6 – 2018 EL FASHER / KEREINIK

Fires in two separate incidents led to the serious injury of two children and destruction of over 30 houses in North and West Darfur on Wednesday.

On Wednesday evening a fire broke out in El Ingaz district in southern El Fasher city. It caused serious burning to two children. The full contents of 23 houses in the capital city were destroyed.

People affected by the fire have appealed to the authorities to help them. A listener reported to Radio Dabanga that these families are living out in the open without shelter, cover or food.

A second fire that day completely destroyed 20 houses in Abuja camp for displaced people in Kereinik locality, West Darfur. Another twelve houses were badly damaged. No injuries were reported.

Affected displaced people estimated that cash amounting to SDG 740 ($40.70) was burned, according to one of the victims, Khamis Abdelrahman. He told this station yesterday that the cause of the fire are still not known.

 

Water shortage sparks herder attack at North Darfur well

April 12 – 2018 KORNOI

An attack by armed herders on residents of Abujidad area of Kornoi locality in North Darfur on Tuesday has left 10 people injured; four of them seriously. The herders were attempting to prevent the residents from drawing water.

The Member of Parliament of Kornoi and Um Baru constituency Minawi Digeish reported that on Tuesday a group of Arab herders opened fire on Zaghawa tribe members who were drawing water from a well at Abujidad area. Four of the villagers were taken in serious condition to Kornoi hospital.

He said the attackers prevented the residents from taking water from the well and threatened to kill anyone who comes to the area.

He pointed out that the Commissioner of Kornoi and Shartai, Adam Sabi moved to the scene to contain the situation.

Water sources are under pressure across Sudan. An ongoing country-wide fuel crisis means that water pumps cannot be run. The Khartoum government has pledged to resolve the crisis ‘soon’, but no solution is in sight in the short term.

On Thursday a reconciliation conference was launched between the Falata and Salamat in Buram of South Darfur.

The conference aims to discuss ways to enhance stability and social peace in the region and put in place measures to ensure the peaceful coexistence of tribes in the southern sector of South Darfur and the neighbouring communities of East Darfur.

Over the past years Falata and Salamat tribes have entered into conflicts and bloody fighting, killing hundreds of people on both sides and displacing thousands of villagers.

Second Vice-President Hasabo Mohamed Abdelrahman is expected to witness the signing of a reconciliation agreement between the two tribes.

 

(Report also in South Darfur)

Darfur shootings injure farmers, firewood collector

April 17 – 2018 KASS / DUBO EL OMDA

Ten people were injured in two separate attacks in South and North Darfur on Sunday and Monday.

On Sunday afternoon gunmen attacked a group of farmers in Sankta in southern Kass locality, South Darfur.

A woman of one the injured told Radio Dabanga that the incident took place after armed herdsmen opened fire, right over the farms. She said that the attackers, some of whom drove motorcycles, camels and horses, attacked the farmers using sticks and axes.

Farmers Mousa Khatir, Omar Ahmed Khatir, Teirab Hussein, Adam Mohamed Ali, Abdelnasir Adam Mohamed, Ayman Adam Mohamed, Bashar Eisa Suleiman, Ahmed Tobi and Mohamed Adam Siddig were injured.

Dubo El Omda

In Tawila locality in North Darfur, armed men shot a man collecting firewood on Monday afternoon. The incident took place near Mashrou Abu Zeid, 8 kilometres east of Dubo El Omda.

A family member of the victim, Mohamed Yousif Mousa, told Radio Dabanga that Mousa was collecting firewood with Yousif Hamid Saleh. The gunmen opened fire on them, wounding Mousa. He has been transferred to the military garrison of Katur to receive treatment at the emergency unit, where the incident was also reported.

Earlier this month, a man was killed by gunmen 15 km south of Dubo El Omda while fetching water for his cattle. Two days earlier two villagers were killed by armed herders west of Dubo El Omda.

North Darfur father and son shot dead, 180 camels stolen

April 19 – 2018 KATUR

Salim Derisa and his son Ramadan were shot dead by unknown gunmen at Katur area in Tawila locality in North Darfur, northeast of Jebel Marra. The murderers made-off with their herd of 180 camels from them.

In a separate incident, a civilian and a soldier in the army were abducted by gunmen in another operation east of Jebel Marra.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that the kidnapping was carried out by gunmen driving a Land Cruiser and others on camels during an attack on workers at a charcoal factory south of Katur.

Witnesses said the gunmen then kidnapped Mohamed Yagoub, 28, and Hamdi Ibrahim, a member of the army from the military garrison of Katur and took them to an unknown destination.

The area also witnessed the theft of 110 head of cattle belonging to Abdallah Zakariya from Kagor in northern Jebel Marra.

RSF, policemen injured, missing, after clash with herders in North Darfur

April 26 – 2018 TAWILA LOCALITY

Seven policemen and members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) government militia were wounded and three others went missing in a clash between a joint force of police and RSF and herders at Klu area of Tawila locality in North Darfur on Wednesday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that on Tuesday, a group of herders attacked a number of farmers who were cleaning their farms at Klu area and instantly killed Omar Babikir.

They added that on Wednesday a force of RSF and police went out to track-down the perpetrators who ambushed the force at Wadi Klu where seven members of the joint force were wounded and three went missing.

They reported that the wounded were taken to Tawila hospital.

On Wednesday herders beat, beat and injured a number of farmers at Kator area.

One of the injured told Radio Dabanga that a group of herders attacked a number of farmers while they were cleaning their farms at Kator area, beat them with sticks and flogged them with whips and seriously injured, three of them including Mariam Younis Hamid, Sadiya Ibrahim Saleh and Adam Ibrahim Ahmed.

Militiamen stopped vehicles loaded with fuel coming from Libya on their way to North Darfur.

Sources said that the RSF based in the far north of North Darfur on the border with Um Baru stopped at least ten vehicles loaded with fuel coming from Libya via Kree in Chad which hosts thousands of Sudanese gold miners.

The source added that fuel is available in large quantities in the mining areas encouraging the Sudanese citizens to smuggle it to the states of Darfur which are suffering an acute fuel crisis

Darfur rebels condemn ‘policy of forced return’

April 29 – 2018 JEBEL MARRA

The plans of the governor of South Darfur to dismantle Kalma camp for the displaced constitutes “a declaration of war” against the camp residents, says the Sudan Liberation Movement faction under the leadership of Abdelwahid El Nur (SLM-AW), echoing similar comments by prominent Sudanese this week.

In addition, the forced dismantlement of the camp, with more than 100,000 displaced one of the largest camps for the displaced in Darfur, is “a clear defiance of international humanitarian laws and the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement,” the movement said in a statement on Friday.

“The Khartoum regime considers the camps for the displaced as proof of the crimes it committed [in Darfur],” the statement reads. “Therefore the camps must be dismantled though the causes for the displacement are still there.”

The SLM-AW called on the international community to intervene and protect the displaced people in the camps. It appealed to the International Criminal Court to start an investigation into the threats by South Darfur Governor Adam El Faki to forcibly dismantle Kalma camp and arrest protesters.

The movement as well strongly condemned the silence of Unamid about militia attacks on villages in northern Jebel Marra a week ago.

Last week, Governor El Faki announced his intention to dismantle the camp “within one or two weeks”. In Februart, the South Darfur government, the UN-AU peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (Unamid), and UN agencies in Sudan announced they would set up a joint committee to facilitate the voluntary return of the hundreds of thousands of displaced people in the state.

Forced return

According to the Sudan Liberation Movement-Transitional Council (SLM-TC), the dismantling of the Darfur camps for the displaced is “Khartoum’s plan B to complete its demographic change project in Darfur”; it constitutes “a second genocide”.

The movement said in a statement on Friday as well that the government not only declared the forced return of the Darfur displaced, it is causing large-scale displacement in Jebel Marra by ordering its militias to attack villages in the area.

The SLM-TC called on Unamid to carry out its duty and protect the displaced. It further urged the people living in the Darfur camps to confront the government’s policies of forced return.

Insecurity

Reports continue to reach this station about attacks on returnees in the conflict-plagued western Sudanese region.

Most recently, in the evening of Saturday April 21, gunmen on a Land Cruiser and others on camels attacked a group of voluntary returnees in North Darfur’s Tawila locality.

One of the victims reported to Radio Dabanga that they were ambushed near Turbo village, 15 kilometres south of Dubo El Omda. “The janjaweed shot in the air to frighten us, and then left with ten of our goats.”

The returnees came from the Shangil Tobaya camp for the displaced, and arrived at Turbo village two months ago – as part of the voluntary repatriation programme organised by the government in cooperation with UN agencies.

 

Militiamen attack group of returnees in Tawila, North Darfur

May 11 – 2018 TABIT

Militiamen beat a number of displaced people west of Tabit in North Darfur and caused them varying injuries on Wednesday. The attackers threatened to kill the victims were they to return to the area.

The attack in Dugwa area, Tawila locality, involved about 35 armed men driving vehicles and riding on motorcycles. They attacked 25 displaced people who were collecting straw and firewood at Dugwa.

One of the injured told Radio Dabanga that the attackers beat them with sticks. “Mohamed Omar Suleiman and Adam Yahya Haroun were badly wounded and taken to hospital.”

He added that the perpetrators burned their donkey carts. “They held us from 8am and did not let us go until Wednesday evening. They were threatening us, that they would kill us if we return to the area. It has become a pasture for herders rather than an area for collecting straw and firewood, they said.”

Reports continue to reach this station about attacks on returning displaced people in Tawila locality, in the conflict-plagued western Sudanese region.

Two wounded in North Darfur cattle rustling

May 13 – 2018 KATUR

Two herders were seriously wounded in a cattle theft in Tawila locality in North Darfur on Friday.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a relative of one of the victims reported that Eisa Omar and Abdelrahman Yagoub were hit by bullets in a cattle theft the area of Katur.

“A group of gunmen on camels and others on motorcycles shot them while they were grazing their cattle,” he said. “They took their donkeys and a number of cows, and fled.”

The victims were taken in a serious condition to the military garrison of Katur for treatment.

Three gold miners shot dead in North Darfur

May 14 – 2018 UM KEDDADA

Three gold miners were fatally hit by bullets in Um Keddada in North Darfur on Saturday.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a local source reported that a group of gunmen attacked a vehicle on the road between El Bereesa and El Naim in Um Keddada locality.

“The attackers shot at the vehicle that was returning from a gold mine in the area of El Bereesa area to El Naim,” he said. “Adam Abdallah, Abdallah Omar, and Emad Nisheifan were killed instantly.”

The police managed to hunt down the perpetrators and arrested three of them.

Violent herder clashes in Darfur, Abyei

May 27 – 2018 TAWILA / ABYEI

On Friday morning, twenty-year-old Hawa Younes was wounded and 30 year-old El Safi Hamid was kidnapped by armed herders at the Argutogo area, 10 km west of Khazan Tunjur of Tawila locality in North Darfur.

Relatives of Younes told Radio Dabanga that a number of armed herders in two Land Cruisers and four motorcycles opened fire on a group of residents as they were collecting straw near Argutogo area and wounded Younes in one of her legs.

They explained that the herders took Hamid to an unknown destination. Younes was taken to the medical unit of Katur garrison.

Abyei

On Thursday night, two people were killed in the Abyei border area between Sudan and South Sudan in an exchange of fire between a group of armed men and an armed group that allegedly stole cattle of Misseriya herders.

Dr Hasan Mohamed told Radio Dabanga that an armed group from South Sudan stole cows of Misseriya herders. A local rescue team-hunted down the suspects and exchanged fire between with them.

Dozens of displaced families forced back to camps in North Darfur

May 30 – 2018 KABKABIYA

On Sunday, approximately 250 displaced families were forced to return once again to camps in Kabkabiya in North Darfur after mediation attempts with new settlers in their home villages failed.

Some of the returnees had traveled all the way from refugee camps in eastern Chad and temporarily settled in Kabkabiya in anticipation of the voluntary repatriation project in Sabarna area. Most families have been displaced since the start of the war in Darfur in 2004.

A source in the area of Sabarna told Radio Dabanga that commanders of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Major ‘Hamad’ and Major Habib Shigeifat, have tried to mediate between the displaced people who returned to the area and the new settlers on the lands.

Negotiations stalled when the commanders gave the group of new settlers the option to give up land in return for the provision of security, to which the new settlers protested. They have not agreed with it so far.

The events have led to the failure of the voluntary return, thus prompting the returnees to go back to the camps for displaced people in Kabkabiya.

“The government of Sudan assured their access to land.” – UNHCR spokesman

In April, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Commissioner of Refugees (COR) assisted dozens of Sudanese refugees from Chad in their return to Kabkabiya, Saraf Omra and Karnoi.

UNHCR said at the time that the Sudanese returnees were assisted with a reintegration package and transportation from the reception centre in Tina to their home villages in North Darfur.

This first return follows the signing of a tripartite agreement in May 2017 by the governments of Sudan and Chad and UNHCR for the voluntary repatriation of 20,000 Sudanese refugees from Chad this year.

In a written response to Radio Dabanga at the time, a spokesman replied that “under the agreement, the Goverment of Sudan has made assurances that refugees will have access to land and will return in conditions of safety and dignity. UNHCR is also given access to monitor the situation of returnees to ensure their treatment is in line with international humanitarian and human rights standards.”

Responding to the latest development, UNHCR stated today that the agency has been informed about a disagreement over land in the return area of Sabarna. UNHCR is in contact with the relevant Sudanese authorities at the state and federal level on this issue.

15 returnees attacked

Throughout 2018 Radio Dabanga has received reports of attacks on people leaving the camps for the displaced and returning to their home areas. In one of such an incident, fifteen people who returned from camps for displaced people to villages in East Darfur were attacked by armed groups on Sunday.

Witnesses said that the group of displaced people arrived in Sheikh Tabeldiya, Um Laota and Hillet Sabil in Assalaya locality in East Darfur, after their travel from El Neem camp in Ed Daein.

Mohamed Ali, a youth official in El Neem camp, told Radio Dabanga that the group of people decided to return after the governor of East Darfur had appealed to all displaced people to empty the camps and return to their home areas voluntarily.

“A group of new settlers, including camel riders, attacked the three villages overnight at about 1am on Sunday. They shot at people, which led to the injury of 15 people,” said Mohamed Ali.

He reported that among the wounded are 11 people from Um Laota, and one person from Hillet Sabil.

Three people sustained injuries during the attack on Sheikh Tabeldiya. All victims have been taken to the hospital in Ed Daein, where ten of them have already been discharged.

“Ishag Mohamed Abdallah, Ibrahim Abakar, Mundi Zayed, Saleh Ahmad Abakar and Nasreldin Mohamed Abdallah are still in the hospital,” according to Ali. “The victims reported the incident and now, state-led forces have moved to the area in response.”

Voluntary return

Voluntary return is one of the options which the Sudanese government gives to the people in Darfur who have been displaced by the armed conflict that erupted in 2003. Khartoum plans to transform the camps into residential areas, or integrate them into existing towns.

The people in the camps point to the insecurity that is still plaguing villagers in most parts of Darfur, despite the large yet partly successful disarmament campaign ordered by the Sudanese presidency last year. They say that it is often caused by roaming militiamen and the abundance of weapons –that have not been found and collected during the government’s disarmament campaign last year– as well as the danger of running into armed new settlers in the home areas.

Militants cut 2,000 fruit trees in North Darfur’s Kutum

June 11 – 2018 KUTUM

Last week about 2,000 fruit trees were cut in Kutum in North Darfur, allegedly to prevent displaced landowners from returning to the area.

“New settlers, backed by militiamen of the Border Guards cut about 2,000 date palms and lemon, guava and mango trees in the areas of Lameina, Kireikero Seneina, El Kowak, and Radma in an area of 15 square kilometres in north-east Kutum,” El Tayeb Kafout, Independent MP for Kutum constituency told Radio Dabanga on Sunday.

“They want to prevent the displaced owners of the land and the orchards from returning to their villages,” he explained. “And if the area is inhabited by others, it will be difficult for the original owners to prove the land was theirs.”

He pointed out that “these forces [nomads backed and armed by the government] benefited throughout the war from the orchards. They used to sell the fruits at the markets in the region, while the land owners were forced to search for refuge in the nearby Abuja and Abu Shouk camps for the displaced near El Fasher. Now the displaced are returning, they began to destroy the trees”.

Kafout said that the commissioners of Kutum and El Waha, together with the localities’ security committees, and members of the North Darfur parliament visited the place.

Returnees

Voluntary return is one of the options which the Sudanese government gives to the about 2.7 million people in Darfur who have been displaced by the armed conflict that erupted in 2003. Khartoum has been seeking to empty or abolish camps and it also makes plans for the transformation of the camps into residential areas, or to make camps integrate into existing cities and towns.

However,  settled in a number of abandoned places. They are reportedly protected by members of government militias, and assault the displaced when they want to return.

The people in the camps point to the insecurity that is still plaguing villagers in most parts of Darfur, despite the large yet partly successful disarmament campaign ordered by the Sudanese presidency last year. They say that it is often caused by roaming militiamen and the abundance of weapons –that have not been found and collected during the government’s disarmament campaign last year– as well as the danger of running into militant Arab tribesmen and migrants from Chad, Mali, and Niger who settled in their home areas.

Driver severely injured in North Darfur ambush

June 12 – 2018 KORNOI / TAWILA / SARAF OMRA

A driver was severely injured and several passengers were beaten when gunmen ambushed a passenger lorry near Kornoi in North Darfur at the weekend.

One of the passengers told Radio Dabanga that the gunmen, who were on a Land Cruiser chased the truck that was carrying them from Kornoi on its way to Saraf Omra.

He explained that the gunmen opened fire on the tires of the truck, which led to its stop.

He said the gunmen started after the vehicle stop to beat the passengers and the driver, Adam Hassan, who was severely injured.

He said that the gunmen then seized about SDG 300,000 (*$10,660) from the passengers, along with mobile phones boarded their Land Cruiser and then left the scene.

Camels stolen

Gunmen stole 30 camels from their herders near Jebel Kolge, 5 km north of Tabit in Tawila locality in North Darfur (popularly known as eastern Jebel Marra) while they were on their way to El Fasher on Sunday evening.

He explained that the gunmen took the camels and then fled.

On Monday afternoon, Maryam Yagoub Saleh was wounded in a shooting by gunmen near Dubo El Omda district in Tawila locality while she was among a group of women who went out to collect straw and firewood.

Goatherders drown

On Sunday evening two eight-year-old boys, Abdelrazig Mohamed and Mazin drowned in a pond used for brick manufacture while they were taking goats for grazing in Saraf Omra in North Darfur.

* Based on the indicative US Dollar rate quoted by the Central Bank of Sudan

Pastoralists robbed of their livestock in North Darfur

June 17 – 2018 TAWILA

On Friday, gunmen raided a nomad settlement in Tawila in North Darfur and stole more than 300 head of livestock. A young herder sustained bullet wounds.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, one of the victims reported that 12 gunmen riding on camels and horses stormed their settlement near the village of Delo, 5 km north of Fanga in northern Tawila (popularly known as eastern Jebel Marra) on Friday morning, the first day of Eid El Fitr.

“The attackers shot heavily at the settlement. 13-years-old Mahjoub Haroun was hit in his leg,” he said. “They then left, taking about 300 cows, sheep, and goats with them.”

The boy was taken to Fanga for treatment. The incident was reported to the military garrison in the area.

19 returnees wounded in North Darfur shooting

June 20 – 2018 KUTUM LOCALITY

At least 19 people were wounded – eight of them seriously – when armed militants fired on farmers on Monday in the Tuma area of Kutum locality in North Darfur. The farmers had returned from the camps for the displaced to cultivate their lands.

El Tayeb Kafot, the MP representing Kutm and Fata Borno constituency told Radio Dabanga on Tuesday that about 70 armed men in three Land Cruisers led by Ahmed El Ghali opened fire at voluntary returnees while they were tilling their at village and then beat them with sticks and rifle butts.

He explained that eight of the injured were transferred to Kutum Hospital in serious condition including Sheikh Hanazal Tibein, Adam Suleiman Abdallah, Abdelnaim Mohamed Suleiman, Yasin Abdallah Abakar, Osman Suleiman Abdallah, Abdelnabi Mohammed Nurein, Amin Ahmed Khatir and Mohamed Suleiman Abdallah.

El Tayeb Kafot blamed the incident on the locality authorities and told Radio Dabanga that the incident is one of a series of attacks committed by outlaws known to the locality authorities led by Ahmed El Ghali and others on voluntary returnees in the areas of Abusakin, Tuma, Um Kloe, Kriker, Lemina, Ruma, Khorsial and Tinai of the locality of Kutum.

He also called on the central and state authorities if they are serious about implementing the voluntary return programme to ensure that the areas of voluntary return are safe and provide protection to the returnees by collecting the weapons spread in these areas, this in addition to bringing the aggressors to justice.

El Geneina

As previously reported by Radio Dabanga, a man was killed in a clash in El Geneina locality in West Darfur on Sunday. The fight reportedly broke out between displaced people returning home and new settlers in the area.

El Tahir Omar Hashim was killed and 17 others were injured near Karti village, five kilometres north of El Geneina. One of the victims’ relatives reported that paramilitary troops attacked a group of displaced people who had voluntarily returned from camps in El Geneina.

New attack against returnees to Kutum, North Darfur

June 21 – 2018 KUTUM

Two women were seriously injured in a militia attack on farmers returning voluntarily to Kutum in North Darfur on Wednesday. This follows a similarly brutal attack which left at least 19 injured in nearby Tuma on Monday.

A farmer from Kutum told Radio Dabanga that a group of militiamen in a Land Cruiser carrying light weapons beat farmers who have voluntarily returned to Kutum while farming at Minan area of west of Kutum.

He said the attack caused injuries two sisters, Zahra and Fatima Nurelsham who were transferred to Kutum hospital.

He said the militiamen prevented the farmers returning voluntarily to farming at Manan, Fulu and Buwa areas west Kutum after they began to cultivate the land since Monday.

He said the militia commander threatened to kill the farmers should they insist on farming.

Land talks fail

Talks by a delegation from Gadeer area, four kilometres east of El Geneina in West Darfur led by Sheikh Gadeer Kamal have failed to reach an agreement with the exploiters of agricultural land owned by the displaced and refugees returning for the farming this season.

Mutasim Abdelrahman, who was part of the delegation that went to Gadeer told Radio Dabanga: “The returnees have agreed to share agricultural land in half with the parties that exploited their land in their absence because of the refuge and displacement this season and that the land would be returned to its owners next season without sharing”.

He explained that the other party refused and insisted in return that the concession of the owners of the land must be in writing about their land that it has become their property.

He said the returning farmers refused as some 60 percent decided to stop farming this season until the problem would be completely addressed.

Abdelrahman called on the government of West Darfur and Sultan of Dar Masalit to intervene immediately to resolve the problem, which he described as a serious indicator of the current agricultural season.

He stressed that the agricultural land is the property of the displaced and refugee owners who have been forced to move to the refugee and displacement camps during the past 12 years.

He added that the refugees and the displaced were offered their farms in conciliatory brotherhood solutions by accepting the cultivation of the land when they returned by sharing it this year, but instead of accepting, they refused and insisted on handing them over the land and writing them in their name as their property, which is unacceptable and totally incorrect.

(Report also in South Darfur)

South Darfur woman shot, man abducted

June 27 – 2018 KASS

A displaced woman of Korli camp south of Kass in South Darfur was shot dead by unknown gunmen, while in a separate incident, a displaced man was abducted.

A number of witnesses told Radio Dabanga that at 1:00 am on Monday three armed men wearing military uniforms raided the home of Fatima Abakar at Korli camp, shot her dead on the spot and beat a number of displaced people.

On Tuesday, a military force on a Land Cruiser raided the area of Jamira, north of Kass in search of men accused of collaborating with the armed movements, detained Ibrahim Zakariya Ibrahim from his house and took him to the military garrison in Kass.

Witnesses said the military intelligence denied the family of Ibrahim a visit and expressed concern he might be subjected to torture or ill treatment.

They appealed to humanitarian and human rights organisations to intervene to release him.

Police beating

On Tuesday, police severely beat and injured three youths at Tabit area in Tawila, North Darfur.

One of the victims’ relatives told Radio Dabanga that Tabit police telephoned Ayoub Mohamed, 28, Yousef Ishag, 29, and Adam Yahya to appear before the police station.

The witnesses said that the three were immediately imprisoned and then beaten with sticks and whips, causing them injuries and were transferred to El Fasher Teaching Hospital.

Witnesses explained that they did not know the reasons and motives for imprisoning and beating the three youths.

Nine Darfur returnees killed this agricultural season

June 27 – 2018 GIREIDA / SARAF OMRA

At least nine people have been killed since the start of the current agricultural season in Gireida in South Darfur, all of whom have been voluntary returnees to their villages this rainy season.

According to activists and displaced sheikhs in Gireida locality who spoke to Radio Dabanga on Tuesday, the last agricultural season witnessed the killing of at least 59 people by militiamen in the locality’s farms.

One of the leaders of displaced people told Radio Dabanga from Gireida “lack of security today represents the biggest challenge for the return of displaced people to their villages and the success of the current agricultural season”

He stressed that security is completely non-existent despite the government repeated announcements in the media that the villages are safe and urging the displaced people to return despite the lack of services of education, health and drinking water in the villages.

He pointed to the spread of militiamen whom the government has not yet disarmed, wearing military uniform and assaulting anyone who returns to village or goes to farming with murder, rape and theft of property.

He said that even if all these incidents are reported to the police, it does not move to arrest the perpetrators.

Agricultural season undermined

Activists of Kutum in North Darfur told Radio Dabanga that the lack of security has undermined the current agricultural season and caused complete failure of voluntary repatriation programme.

The activists pointed in this regard to the attacks on the owners of orchards who returned to their areas in Kutum last week.

They said that the attacks, which included the removal of fruit trees from the orchards, were carried out by government militiamen known to the locality authorities, some of them new settlers and others stationed in some of the nearby settlements.

They pointed out that these militiamen have become a real threat to the agricultural season, especially as it is their custom to attack all those who go out to cultivate their land and get their livestock by force of arms on the farms, which led to farmers’ reluctance to cultivate their land.

Saraf Omra

Sheikh Hasan Hamid (75), and two of his sons and a daughter were also seriously wounded by gunfire by the militiamen in their farm at Burum Burum, south of Saraf Omra in North Darfur (see picture).

Farmers in Saraf Omra told Radio Dabanga that the sheikh, his sons Mousa and Mustafa and daughter Zubeida were voluntary returnees to their areas who happened to be at the time of the incident tilling their farm at Burum Burum.

A witness farmer said that a group of militants opened fire on them causing them injuries, some of them were transferred to the hospital of Saraf Omra and others to the Zalingei Teaching Hospital.

The farmer described the incident as a flagrant violation and a blatant challenge to the government’s decisions issued by President Omar Al Bashir, and Second Vice-President Hasabo Abdelrahman and the leader of the Rapid Support Forces militia to collect weapons, impose prestige of the state and return of the displaced people to their land.

 

North Darfur: Farmer shot, children drown

July 3 – 2018 TABIT

A farmer was wounded in a shooting near Tabit, North Darfur, on Sunday. The same day, two children drowned in the area.

Farmer Abdelhamid Mahjoub was shot by herders at Galab area, east of Tabit. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that herders claimed that his farmland had become their property. When the farmer refused to concede, they shot him.

Two children, Mohamed Yousef Abulgasim (12)and Ibrahim Yousef (8) drowned in Tabit village in North Darfur on Sunday.

One of the children’s relatives told Radio Dabanga that the two children drowned while playing in a deep hole. It was dug by a construction company working on the road between El Fasher and Nyala, which was flooded by rain.

Two injured by gunmen in North Darfur

July 10 – 2018 TAWILA / KORMA

A man and a woman have been wounded in two separate attacks by gunmen in eastern Jebel Marra and Korma in North Darfur. Both of the victims have been admitted to hospitals.

The first incident took place at Barkendi area, north of Katur in Tawila locality. An armed man, riding a camel, opened fire on 33-year-old Maryam Yousif Hamid on Monday, a source in the area reported.

The second incident took place when Mohamed Ibrahim was attacked by armed herders on the road between Korma and Kakoli area in North Darfur. A listener reported that Ibrahim was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Repeated attacks on farmers in North Darfur’s Kabkabiya

July 15 – 2018 KABKABIYA

Displaced farmers in Kabkabiya in North Darfur complain about repeated attacks by militant herders who prevent them of cultivating their land. Two returnees were shot at their farms near Janga.

Displaced farmers who returned to the villages of Wad Tamra, Arbabuyout, Badi, and Beni Mansour in Kabkabiya locality to cultivate their land, told Radio Dabanga that a group of armed herders are wreaking havoc in the area,

“Three weeks ago, a large group of armed herders raided the area, and gathered all of us in one place,” one of the victims said. “They severely beat us and told us that our farms have been turned in to pastures, and we should leave as soon as possible.”

Returnees attacked

Unidentified gunmen shot two farmers in the area of Janga in Kabkabiya on Wednesday evening.

A farmer told this station they were among the displaced people who returned from Kabkabiya and Kassab camps for the displaced to their villages in the area of Janga after the Commissioner of Kabkabiya told them that the situation had become safe.

“After we began cleaning the soil, gunmen stormed our lands and started to shoot. Abakar Wad Arjoun and Mohamed Ismail were seriously wounded,” he said. “They were taken to Kabkabiya Hospital.”

Secure

After a large disarmament campaign in Darfur last year that only partially succeeded, the Sudanese government considers the situation in the conflict-torn western region safe enough to encourage the displaced in the camps to return to their areas of origin. Khartoum as well pushes for the exit of the Unamid peacekeepers from Darfur.

However Radio Dabanga received multiple reports about returnees being attacked. In June at least 19 farmers were shot in North Darfur’s Kutum. They had returned from the camps for the displaced to cultivate their lands. In June, about 2,000 fruit trees were found cut in Kutum, allegedly done to prevent displaced landowners from returning to the area.

The displaced in the camps say the insecurity is caused by roaming militiamen and the abundance of weapons as well as the danger of running into militant Arab tribesmen and migrants from Chad, Mali, and Niger who settled in their home areas. In May, approximately 250 families were forced to return to camps in Kabkabiya after mediation attempts with new settlers in their home villages failed.

In addition, attacks by army soldiers and paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces on villages in Jebel Marra have caused the displacement of thousands of villagers this year.

Camel herders shoot farmers in North Darfur

July 16 – 2018 TAWILA

Two farmers were wounded in a herders’ attack on their farm in Tawila locality in North Darfur on Sunday.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a farmer reported that three herders entered their camels on the farm of Hawa Omar and Adam Bakheet near Faluja, 7 km south of Dubo El Omda in Tawila locality, on Sunday morning.

The farmers protested whereupon the herder began to shoot. Bakheet (42) had both legs broken, Omar (37) was injured in her hand.

The incident was reported to the military garrison of Katur. The wounded were taken to a nearby health centre.

Attack on North Darfur village leaves one dead

July 22 – 2018 TAWILA

A villager was killed in a raid on Tamra village in North Darfur’s Tawila locality on Thursday.

Fleeing villagers told Radio Dabanga that a group of unknown gunmen riding on camels and horses attacked Tamra, north of Dubo El Omda, on Thursday morning.

“They stormed the village, shooting wildly in the air. Mahjoub Haroun was fatally hit. His brother Bakheet was seriously injured,” he said.

The gunmen then seized 150 cows and 35 camels and fled.

The incident was reported to the police of Tawila.

 

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Pregnant woman slain in Central Darfur shooting

July 25 – 2018 MUKJAR

A 28-year-old mother of five, who was eight months pregnant, was shot dead by militiamen at Kombo Tindi area, east of Mukjar in Central Darfur on Monday.

A sheikh from camp Mukjar told Radio Dabanga that gunmen fired three bullets into the chest of Halima Abdelmahmoud. She died instantly.

He said the incident was reported to Mukjar police, who arrested a suspect named as Mohamed Dardeimo.

Abduction

On Tuesday morning, gunmen on camels abducted 27-year old farmer Habib Suleiman, and 22-year-old Maryam Khalid, from Dubo El Omda south of Katur in Tawila locality in North Darfur.

A farmer told Radio Dabanga that five armed men threatened the two farmers on their land, tied them and then took them to an unknown destination.

Two killed in North Darfur UXO explosion

August 5 – 2018 TABIT 

Two siblings were killed when an item of unexploded ordinance (UXO) detonated near Tabit in North Darfur on Friday.

A relative of the victims reported that Hamid Adam Hamdan (17) and his sister Sara (12) found a war remnant in the area of Jinga, south of Tabit, on Friday.

“We think it was a grenade. They picked it up and began playing with it, causing an explosion,” he said. “They died instantly.”

* Years of conflict have left Darfur and other war-torn areas of Sudan littered with unexploded ordnance (UXO). Radio Dabanga appeals to listeners throughout the region (and elsewhere in our reception area) not to touch any ‘unexploded’ grenades or other ammunition found in the field. Mark its position clearly to alert others, and report it immediately to a camp elder, Unamid and/or the local police.

Farmer abducted in Tawila, North Darfur

August 6 – 2018 TAWILA

A group of gunmen abducted a 45-year-old farmer near Dubo El Omda in Tawila locality on Saturday.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a relative of the victim reported that unidentified gunmen riding in a Land Cruiser raided the farm of Ayoub Hussein Hamid in Falluja, south of Dubo El Omda.

“They seized him at gunpoint in front of his family, and then headed east to an unknown destination,” he said.

On Thursday, the head of Unamid North Darfur sector, Sinina Lo, visited Tawila to assess the security situation in the area and possibilities of voluntary returnees to cultivate their land.

She said Unamid is ready to cooperate with the locality in support of voluntary repatriation efforts and the rehabilitation of police stations in order to enhance security.

Tensions over land and pastures have often caused clashes between farmers in the region of Jebel Marra and militant herders who want to use their farms as pasture. Displaced returning to their area of origin complain about new settlers who occupy their villages.

In end July, a man was killed in a raid on a village near Dubo El Omda.

 

Woman dies, four injured as herders attack North Darfur farms

August 8 – 2018 TABIT

A woman farmer has died and four others injured in an attack by armed herders on farms south of Tabit in Tawila locality in North Darfur on Tuesday.

Farmers told Radio Dabanga that the attack was carried out by 12 armed herders on camels after they let their livestock graze on the farms south of Tabit

Witnesses said that when the women farmers tried to drive the livestock from their farms, the herders opened fire.

Sara Yagoub (25) was shot dead and Shawgara Ali, Kalthoum Yousef, Hawa Mohamed, and Meimona Yousef were injured.

They said wounded women were taken to a health centre and the incident was reported to the police.

 

‘Musa Hilal associates’ arrested in North Darfur

August 15 – 2018 GURRAT EL ZAWIYA / KABKABIYA

A contingent of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia on Monday, Omda Ahmed Hamdan Bahar and to companions from his house at Gurrat El Zawiya area in North Darfur.

The militia also arrested Mohamed Omar Tagadem, Abdelnasir Omar and others close to the detained  janjaweed leader Musa Hilal from inside the Omda’s house.

The activists in the area held the commander of the rapid support militia, Mohamed Hamdan Hemeti, full responsibility for the health and safety of Omda Ahmed Hamdan Bahar, his both companions and all thoose held in detention of the regime.

Musa Hilal, was arrested in a raid on his stronghold in Misteriya, North Darfur, in November last year.

Kabkabiya

The security services arrested seven people, including a headmaster of a school, a teacher and a deputy omda because of their objection to the prospecting of gold at Shuba area south of Kabkabiya in Kabkabiya locality of North Darfur.

One of the relatives of the detainees said the seven were arrested on Sunday and released on bail Monday.

He said they objected to the prospecting of gold on the pretext that it would lead to school dropout.

The detainees were Sididig Ishag, headmaster of the Rashid private school, Abdel Rasoul, Abdallah Ismael, Khatir Wardri, Shatta Gandai, Yahya Tuir and Nureldin, the Deputy Omda of Shuba area.

North Darfur Nazir wounded in shooting

August 26 – 2018 SARAF UMRA

On Thursday afternoon, unknown gunmen opened fire on Hamid Madri, the Nazir of Awlad Janoub north of Saraf Umra and wounded him.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that gunmen attacked Madri in front of his house in at El Tadamon district, opened fire on him, shot him in the legs, destroyed his vehicle and then fled.

Traffic accident kills River Nile community leader and son

Dr Ibrahim Abdallah El Mahi, Hashim Abdallah El Mahi, Chairman of the Agricultural Committee of the Legislative Council of Abu Hammad and his son Mohamed Hashim Abdallah reportedly died in a traffic accident at El Mahmiya area on El Tahaddi Road in the River Nile state. No further details have been received at this time.

RSF storm police station to retrieve camels

August 28 – 2018 TABIT

Members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have reportedly stormed the police station in Tabit, North Darfur, to retrieve camels that were seized following damage to farms.

Several farmers told Radio Dabanga that they filed a complaint against the destruction of a vast area of farmland by camels near Tabit in Tawila locality.

Camel herders had driven the herds there to graze. The local police seized about 150 camels and took them to the police station.

A group of RSF members then stormed the police station to rtreive the camels under force of arms. A farmer said that the RSF drove two vehicles and were under the command of a RSF lieutenant. “The camels were freed in full view of the authorities,” he said.

There have been no reports of injuries.

Herders and farmers

Earlier this month a woman farmer was killed and four other farmers were injured in an attack by armed herders on farms south of Tabit.

Tensions over land and pastures have often caused clashes between farmers in the region of Jebel Marra and militant herders who want to use their farms as pasture. Displaced returning to their area of origin complain about new settlers who occupy their villages.

Murder in North Darfur, man drowns in valley flood

August 29 – 2018 KUTUM

On Monday, displaced farmer Abdalkarim Abdalmajid Suleiman was shot dead by a herder in Kutum locality in North Darfur.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that one of the herders opened fire on Abdalkarim while he was tilling his farm east of Fata Borno camp and instantly killed him. The motive for the attack is not immediately known, however farmers and herders frequently clash in Darfur over the rights to land and grazing.

Also on Monday, Babikir Ahmed Ibrahim of Kassab camp drowned when he tried to cross the flooded Buwa Valley on his way from Kutum to Kassab camp, witnesses from the area informed Radio Dabanga.

 

Militiamen shave heads of North Darfur school students

August 31 – 2018 MELLIT

In the past two days, members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have detained dozens of young people in Mellit town and reportedly shaved their heads.

The majority of detainees in the North Darfur town are secondary school students. Witnesses reported that they have had their heads shaved by the RSF members.

The shaving campaign, as residents name it, has created fear in the area. “Especially students are scared. Most of them have been forced to stay at home by their parents, out of fear of being beaten and shaved bald,” a witness told this station.

Residents have condemned and criticised the campaign.

In October last year, members of RSF militiamen also shaved a girl’s head when she was taking livestock for grazing in Kutum. They had discovered she belonged to the Mahameed clan.

In December, 83 youths and students in Sudan’s Northern State were convicted to be shaved in public for their “odd shaving and wearing inappropriate uniforms”, a town court ruled

(Report also in Central Darfur)

Gunmen attack three people in Darfur, two killed

August 31 – 2018 ZALINGEI / KHAZAN TUNJUR

Two men were shot dead by unknown gunmen on the way to their camp for displaced people in Zalingei, Central Darfur on Wednesday. A woman was shot on her farm in North Darfur on Thursday.

Abakar Omar Abakar and Isameldin Haroun lived in Hasahisa camp, the coordinator of Central Darfur camps told Radio Dabanga. Coordinator El Shafi Abdallah reported that gunmen opened fire on the men while they were on their way from Zalingei to Hasahisa, and killed them instantly.

In Khazan Tunjur in North Darfur, an armed man opened fire on Hawa Yacoub Suleiman while she was tilling her farm. A witness reported that the armed man was a herder.

The gunshot seriously wounded Hawa and she has been transferred to the military garrison in the area for treatment.

Earlier this month a woman farmer was killed and four other farmers were injured in an attack by armed herders on farms south of Tabit.

Tensions over land and pastures have often caused clashes between farmers in the region of Jebel Marra and militant herders who want to use their farms as pasture. Displaced returning to their area of origin complain about new settlers who occupy their villages.

 

(Report also in South Darfur)

Darfur violence: Man killed, farmers wounded

September 4 – 2018 EL RADOOM / TABIT

In several violent incidents on Sunday, a man was killed in South Darfur, while five displaced people were attacked and injured in Tabit, North Darfur.

Butcher Adam Mohamed Farsha was shot dead in El Radoom locality in South Darfur by unknown gunmen. One of the relatives of Farsha told Radio Dabanga that unknown gunmen opened fire on the butcher when he was in the way from Wedhajam market to Shurrab village.

The attackers instantly killed him, seized SDG2000 ($71*) from him and fled.

In Tabit in North Darfur, armed herders opened fire and seriously wounded five people at Kurfla area, 5 km west of Tabit. A family member of one of the victims told Radio Dabanga yesterday that eight herders on camels opened fire on a group of displaced people who returned to Kurfla for farming.

The gunmen wounded Omar Abdallah, Ahmed Omar Abdallah, Mohamed Ishag Hamid, Suleiman Haroun Yahya and Aisha Musa Omar who all were transferred to El Fasher for treatment.

On August 7 herders attacked a group of farmers south of Tabit when they tried to drive away the herders’ livestock, upon which they opened fire. This resulted in the killing of a woman.

* Based on the indicative US Dollar rate quoted by the Central Bank of Sudan (CBoS)

Driver murdered in North Darfur road robbery

September 6 – 2018 TAWILA

One person was killed and another was wounded in an armed robbery on a commercial vehicle in Tawila locality, North Darfur on Tuesday.

One of the relatives of the deceased told Radio Dabanga that on Tuesday gunmen on camels opened fire on a commercial vehicle at Dubo El Omda area.

The vehicle was on its wayfrom Deribat in East Jebel Marra to the North Darfur capital of El Fasher.

The driver of the vehicle, Haj Adam, was killed in the attack, and assistant driver Saleh Ibrahim was seriously wounded.

The gunmen reportedly beat and whipped the passengers before they robbed them of their belongings.

The incident has been reported to police in North Darfur but no suspects have been identified or apprehended.

‘Three dead, five injured’ in shooting at North Darfur market

September 9 – 2018 KUTUM

Reportedly three people were killed and five others were seriously wounded in a gunfight between an army officer and members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in Kutum, North Darfur, on Friday.

In conflicting accounts of the incident, some people told Radio Dabanga that the shooting was triggered by an attempt of two RSF militiamen to forcibly remove a kadamol [a scarf covering the face] from the head of an army officer. Others reported that the two accused the officer of possessing drugs.

All agreed that a row erupted between an army officer and two RSF members at Kutum market. They said that the officer suddenly began shooting at them. Both militiamen and a passer-by died instantly. Five others, two children, two women and a man, sustained various bullet wounds.

The Commissioner of Kutum, Mohamed Ahmed El Haj, told the press later on Friday that 11 people were killed and wounded: three army soldiers, three militiamen, and five citizens.

 

Inquiry into deadly North Darfur market shooting

September 10 – 2018 KUTUM

The commissioner of Kutum locality in North Darfur, Mohamed Ahmad El Haj, has announced the formation of a committee of inquiry into the killing and wounding of 11 people on Friday.

The commissioner said in a press statement that a suspect has been arrested and legal action is being taken against him.

Commissioner El Haj told the press on Friday that 11 people were killed and wounded: three army soldiers, three militiamen, and five citizens.

Varying initial accounts of the incident that reached Radio Dabanga assert on one hand that the shooting was triggered by an attempt of two Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militiamen to forcibly remove a kadamol [a scarf covering the face] from the head of an army officer. Others reported that the two accused the officer of possessing drugs.

All agreed that a row erupted between an army officer and two RSF members at Kutum market. They said that the officer suddenly began shooting at them. Both militiamen and a passer-by died instantly. Five others, two children, two women and a man, sustained various bullet wounds.

Herders killed, arrested by North Darfur police

September 11 – 2018 TAWILA

Two herders were killed in North Darfur and two were arrested in a clash between a government force, after the herders had attacked a police vehicle Saturday.

A group of about 12 armed herders opened fire on a police vehicle, Sheikh Mukhtar Bosh, a leader of Rwanda camp in Tawila locality, told Radio Dabanga yesterday.

The police was guarding farmers at Nue area, southeast of Tawila town. The shots resulted in damage to the vehicle.

A joint police and security force chased down and attacked the herders. Two of them were killed in the ensuing gunfight. Boash reported that three herders sustained injuries and have been brought to the hospital. Two members of the group were arrested.

Earlier this month armed herders opened fire and seriously wounded five people at Kurfla area, 5 km west of Tabit, as they returned from farming. On August 7 herders attacked a group of farmers south of Tabit when they tried to drive away the herders’ livestock, upon which they opened fire. This resulted in the killing of a woman.

Tensions over land and pastures have often caused clashes between farmers in the region of Jebel Marra and militant herders who want to use their farms as pasture. This has also been the case for returning displaced people looking to farm in their area of origin. Farmers speaking to Radio Dabanga have often expressed their desire for more protection and security in order to make the farming season succeed.

Disputes between herders and farmers occur more often this time of year, as herders let their cattle graze on farmlands that have not yet been harvested, causing friction between the groups.

Sisters raped on farm near North Darfur camp

September 14 – 2018 ZAMZAM

Three men have raped two displaced girls on a farm in El Fasher locality on Wednesday, and raped them for more than three hours.

The aunt of the victims told Radio Dabanga that three herders attacked the two sisters, aged 15 and 17 years, while they were tilling a farm at Tayarat. The area is close to Zamzam camp for displaced people.

They raped them at gunpoint for more than three hours. She explained that the victims were taken to the Tabit health centre, which let them be transferred to El Fasher because of their critical health condition.

Another family member of the girls said that a team of relatives and camp residents decided to chase the perpetrators, who have managed to flee to a settlement in the south.

Earlier this month armed herders opened fire and seriously wounded five people at Kurfla area, 5 km west of Tabit. A family member of one of the victims told Radio Dabanga yesterday that eight herders on camels opened fire on a group of displaced people who returned to Kurfla for farming.

On August 7, herders attacked a group of farmers south of Tabit when they tried to drive away the herders’ livestock, upon which they opened fire. This resulted in the killing of a woman.

(Report also in Central and South Darfur)

Darfur: Farmers attacked, displaced men arrested

September 21 – 2018 DAR EL SALAM / NIERTETI / NYALA

Two farmers were attacked in North Darfur on Wednesday. In Central Darfur, three camp residents were arrested on Monday.

Farmers Adam Mahmoud Ibrahim and Um Kalthoum Yahya Omar were farming in Arashu, in Dar El Salam locality, when gunmen trespassed the farms. One of their relatives said that the four gunmen were herders.

“The herders let their cattle and camels graze on the farms. When the farmers objected, they beat them with sticks and caused them injuries.”

The victims have been taken to Shangil Tobaya for treatment.

On Monday, members of the military intelligence arrested three displaced people from Tur camp in Nierteti locality in Central Darfur, and took them to an unknown destination.

Eye-witnesses told Radio Dabanga that the military intelligence stormed the house of Yahya Abulgasim, Abdelrazig Abdelrahman and Muzamil Osman and took them to an unknown destination in their vehicle.

Relatives of the three detainees inquired about their family members at the military garrison of Tur, as well as the station of the Central Reserve Forces. “They denied that the detainees were being held there.”

Kalma camp

On Thursday, members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reportedly stormed Kalma camp in Nyala locality, which sparked panic among the displaced. They drove into the camp with a vehicle.

The spokesman for Association of Displaced People and Refugees in Darfur, Hussein Abu Sharati, said that the incident coincided with a meeting on the commemoration of martyrs of deadly events in Kalma.

 

Farmers killed, abducted by herders in North Darfur

September 27 – 2018 TABIT

A farmer was killed and another abducted after they confronted armed herders grazing livestock on their farms at Um Baji south of Tabit on Wednesday. Local leaders have called for a military force to be stationed at Gallab to protect the farms.

Suleima Yahya was abducted while Abdallah Ibrahim died on the spot in Wednesday’s attack.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that the herders trespassed with their camels and cows the areas of Galab, Shurfa, Hillet Sinin and Arda. When the farmers confronted them, they opened fire killing Ibrahim and then abducted Yahya.

They said that the herders on double-cab vehicles with mounted with dushka .50-calibre machineguns trespassed with camels and killcows on the farms by force of arms. This led to the destruction of large areas of millet, sorghum, sesame, groundnuts, watermelonn and okra estimated at thousands of Sudanese Pounds. They explained that they had filed several complaints to the authorities, without finding any response.

They renewed their demand for the authorities to intervene so that they could harvest their promising crops.

Residents of Kulgi, Bobai Sijlli and Sousou areas have complained that the herders are trespassing on their farms with their camels and cows at night.

Omda Mukhtar Boash said the preliminary inventory of the areas damaged and destroyed by the herders is about 250 farms.

He called on the authorities to put a military force at Gallab area to put an end to the violations of herders.

North Darfur: Eight dead in traffic incident, armed robberies

September 30 – 2018 NORTH DARFUR

Seven Sudanese died in a traffic incident near the Chad-Libya border last week. On Thursday, robbers killed a villager near the North Darfur capital. Two days earlier, a group of herders plundered Um Baji village in Tawila locality.

On Wednesday, a lorry carrying a large group of Sudanese gold miners collided with another vehicle near the border between Libya and Chad.

A relative of one of the deceased told Radio Dabanga that seven miners died instantly, 15 others sustained injuries.

The miners were on their way from Libya to the gold-rich area of Kouri at the border. Most of them were originally from Kutum locality in North Darfur.

Donkey

El Dood Adam Jiddo was shot dead in his house in Gallab village south-west of the north Darfur capital of El Fasher on Thursday.

A witness told this station that gunmen in military uniforms riding two camels attacked Jiddo inside his house. “They wanted to steal his donkey. When he protested, one of them shot him dead on the spot.”

Plundered

On Tuesday, a group of armed herders attacked Um Baji village north of Tabit in Tawila locality.

“They stormed the village, shooting densely in the air to chase us away. Mousa Yahya was seriously wounded by the bullets,” a villager reported. “After we had fled, the janjaweed plundered our entire village.”

Sudan news: Two killed in robbery, UXO blast; five girls raped

October 5 – 2018 ABU JUBEIHA / TAWILA / EL DINDIR

A man was killed and another wounded in a robbery in South Kordofan. A villager died when a war remnant detonated in North Darfur. In eastern Sudan, dozens of people took to the streets in protest against the rape of a 10-year-old girl on Thursday.

Mohamed Eisa was shot dead and El Fadul Abdallah was seriously injured when an armed man suddenly shot at them near Seragiya in South Kordofan’s Abu Jubeiha locality on Thursday morning.

“They were on their way on Eisa’s motorcycle from Abu Jubeiha town to Seragiya,” a relative of Eisa told Radio Dabanga. “The robber then took the motorcycle and fled.”

UXO

In Tawila in North, 22-year-old Ibrahim Yagoub died on Thursday morning when an unexploded ordinance (UXO) detonated.

A relative of the victim reported to this station that Yagoub was on his way to his farm in Mashrou Abuzeid, when his donkey stepped on an UXO. He and the donkey died instantly.

Girls raped

The residents of El Nasir district in El Dindir town in Sennar staged a demonstration on Thursday in protest against the rape of a 10-year-old school girl.

She was the fifth girl raped in El Dindir locality in less than two months. Three girls were raped in Takamabri village and a girl was molested near the village of Hawya, one of the protesters told this station.

(Report also in South Darfur)

Farmer shot, highway robbery in Darfur

October 8 – 2018 DARFUR

A farmer has been killed by herders and gunmen have robbed the passengers of a commercial vehicle in Darfur.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga the three herders drove their livestock onto the farm of Eisa Mohamed at Donki Abyad area in Gireida locality in South Darfur on Saturday. When the farmer attempted to drive the animals off his land, the herders shot him dead.

Highway robbery

The passengers of a commercial vehicle were robbed on the Tawila-Korma road in North Darfur.

Omda Mukhtar Bosh told Radio Dabanga that gunmen in a Land Cruiser forced a commercial vehicle on its way from Korma to Tawila to stop, forced the passengers to get out, and seized an amount of SDG 150,000 ($5,330*) from them, this along with the mobile phones and the property they in their possession.

Ban on edged weapons

The authorities of El Geneina in West Darfur issued a decision prohibiting the carrying and possession of edged weapons. Violators will be subject to a fine of not more than SDG 2,000 ($70) or imprisonment for up to a month, as well as the confiscation of the weapons.

* Based on the indicative US Dollar rate quoted by the Central Bank of Sudan (CBoS)

One dead, three wounded in shooting, rape attempt in Tawila, North Darfur

October 10 – 2018 TAWILA

On Tuesday, Tawila locality witnessed several attacks by herdsmen on villagers. A farmer was killed west of Fanga. Two displaced sisters were shot on their farm near Tabit. In the area of Tirbo, herders seriously injured a woman in an attempt to rape her.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a listener reported that three gunmen on camels opened fire on Salim Ahmed when he was riding on his camel from Kakero village to his farm on Tuesday morning.

“Salim was killed instantly,” said. “The attackers then took his camel and fled.”

The incident was reported to the garrison of Kakero.

On the same morning, Hawa and Maryam Adam Musa were seriously wounded at their farm in the area of Tabit.

“Four herdsmen drove a large number of cows onto their farm,” a fellow farmer said. “When the women tried to drive the animals off, the herders took their guns and shot them.”

The victims were taken to a health centre for treatment.

In the area of Tirbo in Tawila locality, Maryam Yousef was seriously injured when two camel herders attempted to rape her.

“When she resisted, one of them beat her with an axe,” one of her relatives told this station. “She had to be taken to a health with a severe head injury and a broken hand.”

‘Child traffickers’ arrested in North Darfur

October 10 – 2018 EL FASHER

The authorities in North Darfur arrested three men in El Kuma locality in North Darfur on Monday. They are accused of kidnapping children and selling them to herders in the area.

Two of the three detainees are members of the Popular Police Forces, who are suspected of kidnapping children in North Darfur and selling them in El Kuma to serve as herders.

The suspects have transferred to the North Darfur capital of El Fasher where a complaint was filed against them under the Family and Children Act.

Maryam Adam, the mother of 12-year-old Abu Ebeida Abdallah, told the press in El Fasher on Tuesday that her son disappeared in August.

On Saturday, she was surprised to hear that her son was being treated in the Hospital of El Malha, north of El Kuma. His ‘owner’ had taken him to the hospital after he fell ill.

She said that her son told the doctor treating him that he was kidnapped, and forced to work for the camel owner, together with other abducted children.

He gave the doctor his address, and the medic immediately contacted the boy’s family.

Adam said her son has been transferred to a hospital in El Fasher as his health was deteriorating.

After the kidnappers were arrested, the family of Abdallah reported that they were pressurised “by influential people” to withdraw their complaint against the policemen. His mother therefore appealed to human rights organisations to protect them from “influential people who are trying to close the file”.

RSF, ex-rebels arrest more displaced in North Darfur

October 12 – 2018 SORTONY

A number of people have been detained by militiamen in Sortony camp in Kabkabiya in North Darfur. This is the second incident this month involving the militiamen and displaced people.

Witnesses reported to Radio Dabanga that members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and militiamen led by former rebel El Sadig El Fakka detained seven camp residents this week.

The men entered Sortony driving five vehicles and seized seven persons from their residences. According to a source, they have been taken to the forces’ camp in Kobe, one kilometre away from Sortony camp.

El Fatih Ishag, Eisa Bashar, Abdelrazig Saleh, Mousa Karigat, and Abdelrazig Yousef were amoBargo ng those detained this week.

The number of detainees adds to the earlier reported 21 other displaced people who have been detained by the militiamen for weeks. Last week a community sheikh reported that on August 12, a joint force of militiamen of the RSF and El Sadig Fakka group stormed the camp and detained 18 displaced people accused of being affiliated with the Sudan Liberation Movement under the leadership of Abdelwahid El Nur (SLM-AW).

On September 18, basic school teacher and head of the Youth Association in the camp, Abdallah Bundug, and teacher and deputy head Jamal Nimir, along with a third camp resident were detained as well.

In Sudan, RSF and Military Intelligence members are known to detain people who are accused of having connections with rebel movements.

Jebel Marra

El Fakka’s group consists of a number of rebel combatants who recently split from the SLM-AW. The movement recently announced an unilateral three-month ceasefire in a certain part of Jebel Marra, to allow for aid assistance. According to UN humanitarian coordinators, “the Government of Sudan and Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid [El Nur] are facilitating access to the affected area”.

Sortony, adjacent to the base of the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (Unamid), is a site where people displaced from the mountainous Jebel Marra in Darfur in early 2016 have sought refuge. Increased hostilities between the Sudanese army, assisted by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudan Liberation Movement under the leadership of Abdelwahid El Nur have forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes to other areas in Darfur, including Sortony.

According to the UN, the number of displaced living in Sortony decreased to 21,500 people who are registered and currently reside at the site.

 

No water after theft of solar panels in Tawila, North Darfur

October 14 – 2018 TAWILA

Unknown gunmen stole the solar panels of a water pumping facility in the area of Bargo in North Darfur’s Tawila on Friday.

Omda Mukhtar Bosh told Radio Dabanga that five gunmen riding on camels stormed the water pump facility in the area of Bargo, west of Tawila town, at 1 am on Friday.

“They tied-up the guard, and took the solar panels with them,” he said.

“This was the only solar-powered water engine in the neighbourhood,” he added. “The entire area is now threatened with thirst.”

Policeman wounded as herders raid North Darfur station

October 15 – 2018 TABIT / SOUTH JEBEL MARRA

Three people including a policeman were wounded in separate incidents in Tabit in North Darfur on Saturday.

In the first incident, herders driving a Land Cruiser and others riding camels attacked Tabit police station. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that a constable was wounded when armed herders raided Tabit police station.

The Tabit police were holding livestock that was seized after being driven onto farms in the area and causing extensive damage. The herders forced the limited police presence to take cover while they released the seized animals from the corral and fled.

Woman beaten

In the Jebein area west of Tabit, Maryam Eisa was severely beaten by herders when she tried to drive camels and livestock from her farm. Both of Eisa’s arms were broken in the attack.

Robbery

In south of Jebel Marra, unknown gunmen attacked Yousef Mohamed while he was on his way back from Kali Koten area after shopping, shot him ,and seriously wounded him. They then robbed him of his possessions and the donkey he was riding.

(Report also in South Darfur)

Two killed, five injured in Darfur shootings

October 17 – 2018 GIREIDA / TAWILA

Two people were killed and four others were wounded in a road robbery in Gireida in South Darfur on Monday. Herders shot a farmer in North Darfur’s Tawila.

Eyewitnesses reported to Radio Dabanga that ten gunmen riding on camels opened fire on a commercial vehicle en route from Sirgeila to Gireida on Monday evening.

“Eisa Adam and Ahmed Mohamed were fatally hit. Abdallah Ibrahim, Awadallah Abdelkarim, El Sayer Yahya, and Omar Ibrahim were wounded,” one of them said.

“The robbers seized the money and property from the passengers, loaded the goods on their camels, and fled.”

In the area of Susawa, north of Tabit, Mahjoub Hari was seriously wounded when he attempted to chase livestock from his farm.

“Two herders entered their camels and cows into his farm. When he tried to get rid of the animals, the intruders shot him,” another farmer reported.

He said that a police force seized the herds and took them to Tawila. The herders fled.

Farmers attacked in North Darfur’s Tawila

October 23 – 2018 TAWILA

A number of farmers were injured in an attack by herders in Tawila locality in North Darfur on Monday.

The farmers told Radio Dabanga that herders trespassed their farms with their livestock at Hashaba area, south of Tawila. When the farmers confronted them the herders beat them, causing various injuries.

Four farmers were injured, including Maryam Yousef, Hawa Yahya, Shadiya Haroun and Maryam Saleh. Some of them sustained serious injuries.

They pointed out that the herds of camels and other cattle caused significant losses to the fields of sorghum, sesame, watermelon and groundnuts.

In September, a farmer was killed and another abducted after they confronted armed herders grazing livestock on their farms at Um Baji in Tawila. Farmers in North Darfur’s Dar El Salam locality also came under attack of herders.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that the herders trespassed with their camels and cows, resulting in a confrontation where the herders opened fire on the farmers.

This also led to the destruction of large areas of millet, sorghum, sesame, groundnuts, watermelon and okra estimated at thousands of Sudanese Pounds. They explained that they had filed several complaints to the authorities, without finding any response.

North Darfur rape attempt: One dead as RSF fire on angry residents

October 29 – 2018 MUZBAD

A man has died of gunshot wounds in Muzbad in North Darfur on Friday after members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) government militia opened fire on angry civilians following an alleged rape attempt by one of the RSF troops.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that a member of the RSF allegedly attempted to rape a girl on a farm near Muzabad. When residents intervened to assist the girl, the man fled to the RSF area headquarters.

Angry residents stormed the headquarters of the militia to demand that he be arrested and brought to justice. This prompted some RSF members to open fire and Bashir Mukhtar was hit.

Witnesses confirmed that the force commander ordered the arrest of the soldier accused of the attempted rape in an attempt to calm the situation.

Bashir was taken to Muzbad hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.

According to reports that have not been unequivocally confirmed, Osama Mukhtar and Yasir Ali, two companions who took Bashir to hospital, were subsequently arrested from inside the hospital by militia members.

Central Darfur: displaced youth slain

Gunmen shot dead a 16-year-old displaced youth at in the area of Garsila in Wadi Saleh locality of Central Darfur on Saturday.

A sheikh told Radio Dabanga from Garsila camp that the killing of the youth occurred at 2 pm in an area between Amar and Darisa in Wadi Saleh locality. He called on Unamid to move and protect the displaced from the attacks.

Forests laid waste in fierce North Darfur fire

October 29 – 2018 TABIT

On Saturday, an extensive fire destroyed large tracts of forests west of Tabit in North Darfur.

Residents reported to Radio Dabanga that the fire caused damage to dozens of square kilometres of forests in the mountainous areas of Jebel Takumari, Jebel Koto, and Jebel Korofala, five kilometres west of Tabit.

The cause of the fire is unknown, and it is not yet certain whether the fire is as yet completely under control.

Farmers in the area called on the government and the locality commissioners in Darfur to speed-up the opening of fire lines, and to raise the awareness of pastoralists and farmers alike about the necessity of making sure that fires are properly extinguished after cooking or making tea.

They pointed out that the fire hazard is especially high at this time. This rainy seasons has caused an abundance of dense grass, which is good for grazing livestock, but vulnerable to fire.

17-year-old raped as mother held at gunpoint in North Darfur

November 1 – 2018 SHANGIL TOBAYA

A young woman was gang-raped by three armed men on a farm in Tawila locality, North Darfur on Monday.

A relative of the victim told Radio Dabanga that the 17-year-old woman and her mother were tending their farm at Shangil Tobaya when they were accosted by three men who rode-in on camels.

The gunmen raped the daughter while holding the mother at gunpoint, threatening to shoot her.

The relative said that a complaint has been filed with police. The raped woman was taken to the health centre of Shangil Tobaya for treatment.

The perpetrators, who fled the scene, are still at large and no arrests have been made.

Kass

As reported by Radio Dabanga this week, seven women and girls were raped and 12 others were injured, during a two-hour ordeal by armed men in Kombo Aliba north of Kass in South Darfur on Thursday.

One of the rape victims told Radio Dabanga that an armed group of herders attacked them at around 11 pm on Thursday, beat them with machetes and rifle butts, before raping seven women and girls, including a 14-year-old. She told Radio Dabanga that the rape and beatings lasted for two hours. The injuries range between a head fracture and fractures in the hands and legs with seven of the women in serious condition.

At least two deaths, seven injured in violent incidents across Sudan

November 4 – 2018 EL GEDAREF / OMDURMAN / TAWILA

Several reports of fatalities and injuries in violent incidents reached Radio Dabanga from across Sudan on Friday.

A tea seller was shot dead and six other members of the public were wounded when a member of the regular Sudanese Army opened fire – apparently randomly – at El Faw market in El Gedaref state. The reason for the gunfire is as yet unclear. Police are investigating.

Fatal jailbreak

One prisoner was killed and another was wounded by gunfire from prison security guards on Friday after they allegedly attempted to escape from Omdurman Prison. The wounded man was recaptured. Radio Dabanga is pursuing further details at this time.

Armed robbery

On Friday, a herder opened fire on Mahjoub Suleiman and seriously wounded him at Falluja area south of Dubo El Omda in Tawila locality, North Darfur. The herder then allegedly robbed Suleiman of his money and made-off with his donkey. The incident was reported to Tawila police but no arrests have been made.

 

North Darfur villagers detained after complaint about herders

November 7 – 2018 TONO VILLAGE

Members of the Sudanese government paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) detained two North Darfur villagers from their homes on Monday, allegedly after they complained of herders driving livestock onto their lands.

A member of the family of the detainees told Radio Dabanga that an RSF force in four vehicles entered Tono village, 20 kilometres west of Zamzam camp in North Darfur. They raided the homes of Haroun Haggar and Jumaa Hijeir, arrested them and then moved them to the state capital of El Fasher.

He said the arrest came after both Haggar and Heijer filed complaints to the governor of North Darfur Sharif Samouh, and the commander of the RSF, Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan (also known as Hemeti), during their visit to Zamzam camp on Monday, where the detainees explained to the governor and Hemeti the extent of violations and trespass by herders on their farms and on the farmers’ land.

 

North Darfur farmer shot defending women from rape attempt

November 12 – 2018 SHANGIL TOBAYA

Farmer Jamaleldin Saleh Abdallah, known as El Kabeer, was shot while confronting gunmen who tried to rape farmers in Silokandro area west of Shangil Tobaya in North Darfur on Saturday.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that five armed men tried to rape several women while they were tilling their farm, but Abdallah confronted them. They shot and wounded him, however the women managed to escape.

She said that the gunmen then burned the crops he had collected and left the place, while Jamaleldin was transferred to the hospital in Shangil Tobaya.

Farmer Maryam suffered a broken arm in an assault with a machete in her farm at Um Baji area, 15 km south of Tabit on Sunday. She was taken to El Fasher for treatment.

 

(Report also Central Darfur)

Darfur: Three dead in violent incidents

November 18 – 2018 UM DUKHUN / FANGA

Three people have been shot dead and one wounded in separate incidents in Central and South Darfur.

A policeman opened fire and shot nurse Abubaker Adam dead and wounded his wife in his house in Um Dukhun in Central Darfur on Thursday.

Also in Um Dukhun, unknown gunmen shot and killed Jeddo Abdelrahim and robbed him of SDG 115,000 ($2,400*).

Herders shot dead Ismail Ali Haroun and robbed him of his money and donkey at Dolo area north of Fanga in Tawila locality in North Darfur.

At 6 am on Friday, a number of herders attacked Mukjar police station to free a herder from jail and their livestock from seizure, where they exchanged fire with the police, who confronted and arrested two of them, while the rest managed to flee.

 

21 Darfur displaced now detained for four months without trial

November 18 – 2018 KABKABIYA

21 residents of Sortony camp for the displaced in Kabkabiya, North Darfur, who were detained four months ago, are still being held.

El Shafee Abdallah, the coordinator of Central Darfur camps, told Radio Dabanga that on August 12, a joint force of Rapid Support Force (RSF) militiamen and  a breakaway rebel group led by El Sadig Fakka detained 21 displaced people and moved them to the notorious Shala prison in El Fasher. The detainees include three teachers and five secondary school students, who have not been charged or brought to trial so far.

The detainees are accused of being affiliated with the Sudan Liberation Movement under the leadership of Abdelwahid El Nur (SLM-AW).

El Sadig Fakka group consists of a number of rebel combatants who recently split from the SLM-AW, the camp sheikh explained. “We think they wanted to prove their loyalty to the authorities by accusing the displaced in Sortony of supporting the rebels.”

He called on the authorities to release them or bring them to a fair trial.

 

(Report also in South Darfur)

Herders attack farmers in Tawila locality

November 27 – 2018 TAWILA

Three farmers were attacked by herders who drove their livestock onto their farms in Tawila locality on Monday morning.

The three women were working on their farms between Tabit and Hashaba villages in North Darfur when the attack took place.

Other farmers reported to Radio Dabanga that herders attacked them with sticks and axes, injuring Kaltoum Yahya (35 years), Salma Adam (48) and Kaltoum Ibrahim (55).

The witnesses said that the injured women were taken to Tabit health centre after they reported the incident to the police.

Pastoralists with cattle herds have caused significant losses to the fields of sorghum, sesame, watermelon and groundnuts in the current agricultural season, farmers in Tawila reported in October.

On Sunday, farmers in South Darfur’s Mershing locality came under the attack of herders who forced their livestock onto the lands filled with crops.

In Mershing, farmers have complained about early grazing by the cattle of herders. The farmers have called on the committee for the protection of the agricultural season, which took the amount of SDG 50 from each farm owner.

The committee has set the month of January for the start of the grazing season, to protect the farm fields so that the crops can be harvested.

 

Militiamen torch mosque, intimidate returnees in North Darfur

December 4 – 2018 KUTUM

Militiamen torched a mosque which people were building in a village in Kutum locality in North Darfur on Friday, in disapproval against the return of displaced people.

The building in Labous village was being constructed by a group of people, including some displaced, in advance of the return of other displaced people from Kassab and Fata Borno camps.

Leaders of the two camps told Radio Dabanga that the displaced people started returning after the executive director of the locality and locality officials convinced them to return to Labous village, pointing to a prevalence of security and peace in the area.

One of the camp leaders said: “The returnees began to build a mosque in the village in preparation for the return, but on Friday, a number of militiamen burned it down, announcing their disapproval of the return of displaced people to the village.”

“Other displaced people were prevented by militiamen from returning to Nangido village, north of the Fata Borno camp, on Saturday,” the camp leader added.

The group of militiamen blocked their way to Nangido, saying that “these lands are liberated and owned” by them. They were driving a Land Cruiser and three motorcycles.

“What the government says about the voluntary return process is contrary to the reality in North Darfur.” – MP El Tayeb Kafwat

MP confirms events

El Tayeb Kafwat, the Member of Parliament who represents Kutum and Fata Borno localities in Sudan’s National Assembly, confirmed the events to Radio Dabanga that numbers of displaced people experienced during their attempt to return to Labous and Nangido on Friday and Saturday respectively.

Yesterday, Kafwat told Radio Dabanga: “It is true that some of the displaced people returned to their places and faced blockades by some militiamen, of whom we do not know which group they belong to. According to the description of the witnesses, these militiamen wore military uniforms and drove Land Cruisers.

“Which means there is a proliferation of weapons, despite the announcement [of the state government] of collecting them.”

The MP called on the state, the federal government, and the security committees overseeing the collection of illegal weapons, to move urgently. “The talk from the government about voluntary return is contrary to the reality in the areas destined for voluntary return in North Darfur.”

‘No one is protecting returnees’

Regarding he situation now in Kutum locality, Kafwat said that he finished a visit to several villages destined for voluntary returns and displaced camps in the locality this week.

“In my assessment of the situation, after talking with the sheikhs, I found there is no environment conducive for voluntary returns. This in addition to parties preventing displaced people and refugees from returning to their homes and lands.”

The MP stressed that there is no force that protect the returnees to their villages in Kutum. What is required now, Kafwat said, is for the security service to precede the displaced people and refugees to the areas of return in order to reassure the returnees.

Relocation and return

A return village in Um Baru, North Darfur (file photo)

In accordance with the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in July 2011, the government constructed several ‘model villages’ for displaced people to move to, and vowed to support displaced people who decide to return to their home areas. The voluntary return of displaced people and refugees, however, remains the main challenge for the Sudanese government seen the large numbers of people still living in the relative safety of the camps. According to the latest global numbers, the conflict and ensuing insecurity had still displaced over 2.7 million people in Darfur in December 2016 (UN OCHA).

In October, North Darfur state announced that this first phase includes the resettlement of 45,000 families – meaning at least 135,000 people. Early November the state government and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched the dismantling of the three camps Abu Shouk, El Salam and Zamzam camps. People would be granted “a 300 square metre piece of land with an ownership certificate” here, or voluntarily return to their home areas.

In April this year, the first large-scale voluntary returns from Chad took place when the UNHCR and the Commissioner of Refugees (COR) assisted dozens of Sudanese refugees from Chad in their return to Kabkabiya, Saraf Omra and Karnoi. The operation is planned to continue in December.

 

Tabit ‘tense’ as Darfur herders clash with Sudan govt garrison

December 16 – 2018 TABIT

The situation in and around Tabit in North Darfur is reportedly tense after clashes between herders, police, and government troops on Thursday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that a group of herdsmen driving two Land Cruisers and mounted on camels attacked the government garrison, police personnel, and farmers in Tabit, to retrieve seized cattle and camels.

The herders were attempting to release cattle and camels from a barn near the garrison. The livestock was seized after herders let the animals graze on farms in the area of Umtartar and Hashaba, destroying the crops.

They reported that the herders attacked the commander of Tabit garrison, the police and the farmers, but they did not succeed in retrieving their livestock from the barn.

No casualties have been reported but witnesses confirmed that the situation is very tense in the area.

 

Herders kill, abduct farmers in North Darfur

January 15 – 2019 KUTUM / NYALA

A shooting by herders on farmers in North Darfur caused the death of one of them on Sunday. Two people have been abducted. A man was killed during an armed robbery in Nyala.

The incident took place in Sani village, north of Kutum. Herders trespassed with their livestock on the farms at Sani and when the farmers tried to chase the animals off their fields, armed men in three vehicles mounted with machine guns arrived at the scene.

The group was reportedly led by a man named Abdallah Karim, witnesses told Radio Dabanga.

Bashir Suleiman was shot dead on the spot, while Ahmed Ibrahim and Babikir Ahmed sustained injuries. Farmers Babikir Adam and Mohamed Osman have been abducted and their whereabouts are unknown.

Nyala

Saleh Adam was killed, and three others were wounded, in an armed robbery on a commercial vehicle in South Darfur on Sunday. They were on their way from Nyala to Rokoro in Central Darfur when the robbers fired bullets at them and stopped their vehicle.

 

Eight North Darfur brick factory workers abducted

January 23 – 2019 JEBEL MARRA

On Monday evening, unknown gunmen abducted eight people from Jebel Marra in Tawila locality in North Darfur and took them to an unknown destination.

A relative of one of the abductees told Radio Dabanga that gunmen, believed to be from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), some driving a Land Cruiser, and others on motorcycles, attacked a group of people who were working in brick factory west of Katur, and took them at gunpoint towards El Gardoud.

The abductees are Abakar El Zein, Haroun Suleiman, Abakar Adam, Adam Suleiman, Mousa Abdelrahman, Hasaballah Daoud, Ahmad Abdallah and Abulgasim Eisa.

The motive behind the abduction is still unknown.

 

(Report also in West Darfur)

Four dead, homes burned in Darfur militia violence

January 27 – 2019 EL GENEINA / TAWILA

Two people were killed, 47 houses were burned, and 180 head of cattle were stolen in an attack by militiamen on a village in West Darfur on Wednesday. In Tawila in North Darfur, gunmen shot and killed two men in separate incidents on Thursday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that gunmen dressed in military uniforms driving a Land Cruiser raided Kura village in Jebel Moon on Wednesday morning. When the residents confronted them, the attackers opened fire, killing two villagers instantly.

The gunmen then torched 47 houses, and left with 180 cattle.

Tawila

On Thursday, three armed men in army uniforms killed Adam Ibrahim on his farm near Karu village west of Fanga in Tawila locality, apparently without a reason, according to witnesses.

Yahya Eisa was shot dead by unknown gunmen while he was collecting firewood in the area of Katur.

 

(Report also in South Darfur)

Children burned, farms destroyed in Sudan fires

January 29 – 2019 EL FASHER / EL SALAM / KASSALA / NORTHERN STATE

Several fires that broke out in North Darfur, South Darfur, Kassala and Northern State in Sudan have caused death, injury and destruction.

In southern El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, a fire broke out in El Salam district. The fire in the houses caused the death of a five-year-old girl. The cause for the fire has not yet been identified.

In South Darfur, a fire broke out in a number of houses and caused severe burns to two children. A total of 35 homes were destroyed. The cause for the fire has not yet been identified.

In Kassala state in eastern Sudan, a huge fire devoured nine hatcheries planted with groundnut and cotton crops in the Agricultural Project of New Halfa. The director of the Agricultural Project, Mamoun Abdallah said that the fire has destroyed about 40 percent of all the production.

In Sudan’s Northern State, a fire at El Jereif Bahri in Nouri heavily damaged or destroyed a large number of palm trees.

Strong winds can cause flames – for example from cooking fires – to spread quickly quick through the dry grass and rooves. In many areas, a persistent shortage of fire-fighting equipment may exacerbate the damage.

 

Herders kill farmers in North Darfur

February 4 – 2019 NORTH DARFUR

Armed herders shot dead two people and wounded three others in a shooting in the area of Ragwa near Tabit in Tawila, North Darfur, on Sunday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that herders trespassed on a number of farms with their livestock. A farmer then killed one of the camels. A number of herders on two Land Cruisers then opened fire and shot at farmers. Farmers Ibrahim Abdelghani Abdallah and Ibrahim Hasan were killed and Mousa Saleh, Abdallah Yagoub, and Yousef Adam were wounded.

Witnesses said the three wounded were taken to a hospital in El Fasher, capital of North Darfur. The incident was reported to Tabit police.

Tensions over land and pastures have often caused clashes between farmers in the region of Jebel Marra and militant herders who want to use their farms as pasture. Displaced returning to their area of origin complain about new settlers who occupy their villages.

 

Women, girls, gang-raped in North Darfur attack

February 6 – 2019 UM HASHABA

Five women, including three minors, were subjected to a six-hour rape ordeal at the hands of herdsmen in North Darfur on Monday.

A sheikh of Zamzam camp for the displaced, near to El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, told Radio Dabanga that on Monday, a group of herders attacked two women, three girls, and two boys while they were collecting straw at Um Hashaba area, 12 kilometres west of Zamzam camp.

The attackers beat the boys, took the women and girls at gunpoint, and raped them repeatedly from 4 pm until 10 pm.

The sheikh said the incident was reported to the police and the victims given medical treatment.

A patrol under the leadership of the Commissioner of El Fasher went after the culprits on Tuesday, but there are no reports of arrests.

Herders shot and seriously wounded Adam Yousef at Fallujah in East Jebel Marra in South Darfur on Monday.

A relative of the victim said that Yousef was taken to El Malam for treatment and that the incident was reported to the police of El Malam.

 

Attacks on displaced farmers in Kutum

February 8 – 2019 KUTUM

Displaced people in Kutum locality in North Darfur have complained about the escalation of attacks by herders who trespass with their livestock into gardens and orchards.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, several displaced people in Kassab and Fata Borno camps in Kutum pointed out that most herders are armed and force the displaced people to leave the area.

“A group of herders riding camels and motorcycles prevented us from farming and expelled us from the area where we collect wood and straw, in the past few weeks,” a camp resident said.

The herders subsequently threatened them that anyone who goes out of the camp into the open, would be beaten and flogged, the resident said.

The displaced people have appealed to local and state authorities to intervene to prevent and expel the herders and their livestock from their fields.

Earlier this week, armed herders shot dead two farmers near Tabit in Tawila locality, North Darfur.

On January 13, herders also trespassed with their livestock on the farms at Sani. When the farmers tried to chase the animals off their fields, armed men in three vehicles mounted with machine guns arrived at the scene.

One farmer was killed outright, and two others sustained injuries.

North Darfur: Four women wounded in rape attempt

February 11 – 2019 KUTUM

Four women were seriously injured during a rape attempt by militiamen in North Darfur on Friday. The Darfur Bar Association has launched an investigation into the rape of five displaced women and girls near El Fasher, capital of North Darfur.

The Darfur General Coordination for Displaced People and Refugees reported in a press statement on Saturday that “government-backed militiamen tried to rape a group of nine women living in the Kassab camp for displaced people in Kutum locality.

They intercepted the women north of the camp, and when they resisted, the attackers grossly mistreated them.

Kaltouma Yousef (19) was stabbed in the head with a knife. Fatima Haroun (40) was also seriously wounded in her head. Hawaya Omar (40) is suffering from spinal injuries, and Hawa Saleh (29) sustained multiple wounds in her legs and kidney bruises.

They are all being treated in the camp.

The Darfur General Coordination as well expressed its indignation about the gang-rape of five displaced women and girls from Zamzam camp, south of El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, last Monday, referring to the mass rape of more than 200 women and girls in Tabit in 2014.

The statement called on the international community and the United Nations “to fulfil their humanitarian and moral obligations to protect unarmed civilians, stop the crimes of Khartoum regime and to hold accountable its members for their crimes” and requested the formation of an independent committee” to investigate this rape attempt and the many gang-rapes committed by militiamen in the region.

The Darfuri community leaders also appealed to the Sudanese people “to continue their peaceful uprising until it reaches its goal of overthrowing the regime of the National Congress Party and rebuilding Sudan into a state of equal citizenship”.

Investigation

The Darfur Bar Association (DBA) announced that it began its investigations into the gang-rape of the five women and girls by armed herders near Zamzam camp early last week.

In a statement on Sunday, the Association, based in Khartoum with branches in Darfur, appealed to the victims to contact the DBA lawyers in El Fasher so that to can provide them with the necessary legal aid and prosecute the perpetrators.

Political forces, opposition parties and civil society organisations have condemned in separate statements the collective rape of displaced women from Zamzam camp.

The Sudanese Doctors Union called on “all Sudanese political forces, civil society organisations, the international community and human rights organisations to stand by the victims of rape and demand the punishment of the killers of humanity in Sudan”.

Last week, the Darfur Women’s Group also publicly condemned the rape of the five displaced women from Zamzam camp.

 

North Darfur camp nazirs: Five dead, 18 rapes this year

February 17 – 2019 ZAMZAM CAMP

On Friday, statistics presented by nazirs (native administration leaders) of Zamzam camp south of El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, to a delegation of federal and North Darfur state authorities and international relief staff workers, show 18 cases of rape and five deaths between the end of 2018 and February 14, in addition to the injury of dozens of displaced people, and the theft of large amounts of money and thousands of livestock.

A Zamzam camp sheikh told Radio Dabanga that the North Darfur deputy governor, the chief of police, the commissioner of El Fasher, a social welfare officer, and the head of the federal Women Union, held a meeting with camp leaders and members of the Zamzam Women, Youth, Students and Families of Victims Association to discuss the recent upsurge in attacks on camp residents by various gunmen in the area.

He said that the nazirs provided statistics to the government delegation of attacks on camp residents between the end of 2018 until February 14, which amounted to 35 complaints: 18 cases of rape, including eight minors, five people killed (three women and two men), dozens of people injured of whom 12 seriously, and the theft of large amounts of money and thousands of livestock.

After the meeting, the delegation visited the families of the victims, as well as the scene of the event in the area of Um Hashaba, 12 kilometres west of Zamzam camp, where five women, including three minors, were subjected to a six-hour rape ordeal at the hands of herdsmen in North Darfur on February 4.

As previously reported by Radio Dabanga, residents of Zamzam camp took to the streets in mass protest on Thursday. The camp’s central market was filled with protesters from 8am until noon. People responded to the calls to join the ‘March for the Victims of Wars and Violence’ by the Sudanese Professionals Association and other signatories to the Declaration of Freedom and Change.

 

North Darfur: Cattle raid, assault wounds five

February 19 – 2019 TAWILA

Cattle raiders wounded three people in North Darfur’s Tawila locality on Sunday. The same day, a group of firewood gatherers were attacked in Tawila.

According to witnesses speaking to Radio Dabanga, militiamen riding ten camels, two motorcycles and driving a Land Cruiser opened fire in a number of settlements on Sunday at 8pm. The settlements are in Martalat, an area 5km west of Khazan Tunjur in Tawila.

Mahjoub Adam, Haroun Daoud and Daoud Yahya were wounded. The attackers stole 30 of their camels, 51 sheep and goats and 45 other cattle.

Assault

Radio Dabanga listeners reported that herders attacked a number of people collecting straw and firewood in Hashaba, south of Tabit, on Sunday.

They injured Kaltoum Ibrahim and Sarah Juma during the attack.

A witness said that the herders banned the victims from going out to collect firewood and straw in that area.

On January 24, armed men in army uniforms killed a farmer on his farm near Karu village, west of Fanga in Tawila locality, apparently without a reason.

In Kutum, also in North Darfur, displaced people recently complained about the escalation of attacks by herders who trespass with their livestock into gardens and orchards. They also threatened them that anyone who goes out of the camp into the open, would be beaten and flogged.

 

Hostages released in Central Darfur, more taken in North Darfur

February 20 – 2019 ZALINGEI / TAWILA

Militiamen of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) released 16 displaced people and 19 other members of the public who weretaken hostage in November 7 2018. Three displaced people are still being held.

El Shafee Abdallah, the coordinator of Central Darfur camps, told Radio Dabanga that the militiamen released the people on Friday.

He said three other people are still in custody with the militants: Adam Juma (65), Hamid Mohamed (47), and Ibrahim Adam (19).

North Darfur

On Tuesday afternoon, Adam Haroun and Mukhtar Omar were abducted by militiamen from the Fallujah area, 15 kilometres south of Dubo El Omda in Tawila locality, North Darfur.

The relatives of the abductees reported to Radio Dabanga that the kidnapping was carried out by RSF members driving a vehicle.

They said the militiamen intercepted the two men who were riding a donkey cart, on their way to collect firewood near Falluja.

They said that the militiamen put them into the vehicle at gunpoint and took them to an unknown destination.

He pointed out that the incident was reported to the police.

 

Gunmen attack groups of women in North Darfur’s Tawila

February 22 – 2019 TAWILA

Nine women were wounded in an attack by armed men in separate incidents in Tawila locality on Thursday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that herders on camels opened fire on and attacked a group of women who went out to collect firewood near Mashrou Abu Zeid, east of Dubo El Omda, Thursday at noon.

The shooting wounded Kalsoum Yahya with a live bullet in her hand. Umelkheir Mekki was wounded in the head with an axe.

In a separate incident, Yahya Omar was injured in an attack near Hashaba. Militia members driving a Land Cruiser and others on camels, held six women at a water well at Koto area, 5 km south of Tabit on Thursday morning.

Family members of the victims confirmed to Radio Dabanga that the militia members assaulted the women, beat them with whips, and held them there from approximately 7am to 11am, and then released them.

The motives for the incidents were unknown, sources informed this station.

On Sunday, cattle raiders in Tawila wounded three people, while the same day, a group of firewood gatherers was attacked by armed herders.

 

Robbers kill donkey owner in North Darfur

February 26 – 2019 TAWILA

A man was murdered in Tawila in North Darfur on Sunday. This is the sixth violent incident reported in Tawila locality in a week.

On Sunday, gunmen shot and killed 35-year-old Abdelhalim Yahya at Dolo area, five kilometres north of Fanga in Tawila.

One of the relatives of the deceased told Radio Dabanga that unknown gunmen tried to steal the donkey of Yahya. When Yahya refused, one of the gunmen opened fire on him and killed him instantly.

The incident is the sixth in a series of attacks and abductions in Tawila locality that started on Sunday February 17 with a cattle raid and an assault on firewood collectors. On Tuesday, two men on a donkey cart were abducted by militiamen. Armed herders attacked a group of women on Thursday and militiamen attacked a woman near a water well on Thursday morning.

 

North Darfur straw collector repeatedly raped, left for dead

February 28 – 2019 TABIT

A woman who was gathering straw north of Tabit in North Darfur, has been found unconscious in a lagoon, after allegedly being subjected to an overnight gang-rape ordeal by three armed herders on Tuesday.

One of the victim’s relatives told Radio Dabanga that the herders attacked the woman on Tuesday afternoon as she gathered straw north of Tabit and raped her alternately at gunpoint. They only released her on Wednesday morning.

He said that a search posse found the unconscious victim dumped in one of the lagoons. They transported her to the hospital of Tabit and from there transferred her to the Teaching Hospital in El Fasher.

He explained that they had opened a report to the police in Tabit.

He said a police contingent and search posse surrounded a nomad settlement near the scene on Saturday and arrested one of the alleged perpetrators, while the others escaped.

He said the suspect was transferred to El Fasher.

 

Militiamen steal, abduct cattle herders in North Darfur

March 5 – 2019 TAWILA / KUTUM

Gunmen in Tawila locality in North Darfur abducted four people and injured four others while stealing cattle from them on Saturday. Militiamen in Kutum locality kidnapped gold miners on Saturday.

Four people were injured and four others were abducted in attacks by gunmen in Tawila locality in North Darfur, as well as the theft of more than 500 cattle.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that about 75 armed men on camels and horses attacked a group of people herding cattle in North Darfur’s Tawila locality, who went to fetch water from a water well in Dubo El Omda.

The men opened fire on the group, wounding Hawa Ibrahim, Nourelsham Yahya, and Adam and Ali Haroun. They have been taken to the Tawila health centre. 200 cattle were stolen in the attack.

In addition, the gunmen attacked a water well near Katur that is adjacent to Dubo El Omda. There they stole 310 sheep and goats and abducted herders Shogar Mousa, El Sadig Haroun, Adam Yousef and Hasan Mohamed.

They have been taken to an unknown destination.

Also on Saturday, militia members kidnapped four gold miners in Abdelshakour, 20 kilometres north of Kutum town in North Darfur and took them to an unknown destination.

Listeners told Radio Dabanga that the militia members, believed to be paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), drove two Land Cruiser with a Dushka machinegun mounted on top at the time of their raid in Abdelshakour.

They seized Sheikh Burei Ajeeb, Adam Elnil, Ahmed Hussein and Ismail Haniya at gunpoint and took them to an unknown destination.

 

‘Farmland confiscated and sold by authorities’: Darfur displaced

March 5 – 2019 KABKABIYA

Displaced people in Kabkabiya locality said that the Sudanese authorities have converted large tracts of agricultural lands for housing plans and handed them over to foreigners.

A total of 15,000 acres of agricultural land in the North Darfur locality were confiscated by the authorities. They have been turned into residential plots, and according to people who have been displaced by conflict in the area, are now owned by men from Niger and Mali.

The lands are in El Siniya, Mwekila, Kabkabiya North, Jebel Tutka (west of Kabkabiya), and Bentiu, southwest of Kabkabiya.

Disgruntled by the decision, the displaced people issued a statement yesterday claiming that members of the Sudanese security apparatus have summoned all the displaced landowners who protested against the decision.

“They have threatened to arrest, eliminate or hand them over to the Rapid Support Forces.” The displaced people in the statement appealed to human rights and humanitarian organisations to intervene to redress and return “the looted land”.

Voluntary returns

Starting 2017, the Sudanese government began to issue announcements about the improved security situation in the region, which showed the first signs of the campaign to increase the numbers of voluntary returnees from the camps to their areas of origin.

Reports, however, of militiamen with their families occupying the abandoned villages and farms started to emerge too. This was already the case in 2015 when witnesses narrated their visits to specific areas which were occupied by newcomers or foreign settlers, and continues to be a problem for returnees.

Voluntary return is one of the options which the Sudanese government has given to the people in Darfur who have been displaced by the armed conflict that erupted in 2003. Another option for them is to remain in the camps which will be transformed into residential areas.

Recently, Darfur state governors made a promise to return any land of people who have been displaced by war and now willing to return, to their rightful owners by force, at the Darfur States Conference of Displaced People in Nyala in December 2018.

In November, the North Darfur governor claimed that nearly 153,000 displaced people had returned to their villages of origin. Camps where displaced people have been living, will be renamed to districts and towns.

The conflict in Darfur erupted in 2003 and has displaced over 2.7 million people from their homes (OCHA, 2017) -however, up-to-date numbers are difficult to ascertain by humanitarian organisations in Darfur.

 

North Darfur attacks: Two children abducted, four wounded

March 8 – 2019 TAWILA

Three separate attacks in Tawila locality in North Darfur on Thursday have left four people wounded. Two children have been kidnapped.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that gunmen on camels, wearing military uniforms, attacked Kadarik village, 5km north of Tabit, and seriously wounded Ismail Hamid and Shamseldin Yagoub.

Another group attacked people who were collecting straw in the area of Dubo El Omda in Tawila and injured both Maryam Yagoub and Kalsoum Yousef.

Also on Thursday, gunmen on camels kidnapped 8-year-old Yousef Zakariya and 9-year-old Mohyildin Saleh from the area of Fallujah while they were taking their cattle to graze, a listener informed Radio Dabanga. They have been taken to an unknown destination.

Last Saturday, gunmen attacked a water well near Katur that is adjacent to Dubo El Omda. There they stole hundreds of sheep and goats and abducted four herders.

 

Man abducted near Tawila, North Darfur

March 11 – 2019 TAWILA

Reports of abduction of a man collecting firewood have been received by Radio Dabanga, following multiple violent episodes in the area.

Witnesses reported to Radio Dabanga that on Sunday a group of armed militiamen on motorcycles abducted El Nur Yahya, at gunpoint while he was collecting firewood near Rogli village, 7 km south of Dubo El Omda in Tawila locality in North Darfur. His location is currently unknown.

Last Thursday, three separate attacks in Tawila locality in North Darfur left four people wounded. Two children were kidnapped.

On March 1, gunmen attacked a water well near Katur that is adjacent to Dubo El Omda. There they stole hundreds of sheep and goats and abducted four herders.

End February, a series of attacks and abductions took place in Tawila locality, including a cattle raid and an assault on firewood collectors, two men on a donkey cart abducted by militiamen, and armed herders attacking women.

 

Three North Darfur firewood collectors gang-raped

March 17 – 2019 KUTUM

Three young women and girls were repeatedly raped by militiamen in Kutum locality, North Darfur last week. Another was beaten and humiliated. The perpetrators are all still at large.

One of the victims’ relatives told Radio Dabanga that a number of militiamen attacked the four young women and girls while they were collecting firewood in the area of Sananat near Damirat Masri and alternately raped three of them at gunpoint in one of the tents.

A fourth girl (14) was beaten, whipped and verbally humiliated.

He said that the three rape victims were taken to Kutum hospital, where a medical report confirmed the sexual violence.

The incident was reported to Kutum police and the military garrison, however the perpetrators have not been pursued or arrested.

 

120 homes razed by North Darfur blaze

March 21 – 2019 EL LAEET JARELNABI

A massive fire in a North Darfur village has left hundreds of people homeless and destitute.

The fire, that broke out on Monday, at Umgulla village west of El Laeet Jarelnabi in North Darfur, completely destroyed 120 houses, large quantities of food, groundnuts and millet crops.

The losses are estimated at SDG 4 million ($85,000*).

The exact cause of the fire is still being investigated. There are no reports of serious injury.

One of the victims said the fire left hundreds of people in the open without shelter. He appealed to the authorities and organisations to provide aid to them.

 

Deadly armed robbery in North Darfur

March 24 – 2019 KUTUM

A woman shopping for her son’s wedding was killed and her sister injured when gunmen attacked them in the area of Minan west of Kutum in North Darfur on Thursday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that Hawa Mousa Juma (40) and her sister were making their way to their settlement at Naro after they had been shopping at the market in Kutum.

They were accosted on the road by the robbers, who shot Juma dead on the spot, wounded her sister, and made off with the goods and food supplies the women were carrying on their camel and donkey.

Distraught relatives told this station that Hawa and her sister had been buying supplies for wedding of the deceased woman’ son, which is scheduled for next week. The extent of the second woman’s injuries are not known.

The incident was reported to the Kutum police, but no suspects have been identified of apprehended thus far.

 

(Report also in South and West Darfur)

Man dies in South Darfur militia attack

March 25 – 2019 DARFUR

One person was killed and two others injured in an attack in Nyala, capital of South Darfur; two policemen were abducted after militiamen attacked a market in North Darfur.

On Friday, a group of militia attacked three people in the area of Hijeir Tongo near Nyala, capital of South Darfur. One man was shot dead and two others were wounded. A camp sheikh told Radio Dabanga that one of the wounded, from Kalma camp, was transferred to Nyala Teaching Hospital in serious condition, while the other is undergoing treatment inside Kalma camp.

The sheikh said the attack took place due to tensions between militia in the area and displaced people who return to their original land for farming purposes. Residents called on the United Nations and human rights and humanitarian organisations to pressure the Sudanese government to stop its militias from attacking unarmed civilians.

Market attack

On Friday, members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudan’s main government militia attacked the market of Tabit in Tawila locality in North Darfur, robbed property, and detained two policemen.

Witnesses from Tabit reported to Radio Dabanga that members of the RSF drove up in six Land Cruisers and raided the market of Tabit on Friday, beat people with whips, and then looted cigarette and telephone shops.

According to witnesses, those affected by the incident went to the police station to report the incident.

The militiamen followed them there, attacked police sergeant Hakim Kashok and Corporal Taha Abdelkarim. and then took the two policemen to an unknown destination.

Ongoing violence

Since end January, a number of attacks have taken place in the Jebel Marra area of Darfur. In addition, UNOCHA reported today that conflict in the Jebel Moon locality of West Darfur State affected an estimated 3,500 people on January 17, when some of the villages’ homes and recent harvests were burned and livestock was looted. Radio Dabanga reported at the time that two people were killed.

Security Council resolution 2429(2018) has obliged Unamid to exit and move to its new headquarters in Zalingei, Central Darfur, and to distribute some assets to institutions. Unamid is set to leave all areas of Darfur by June 2020.

September 2018, following a four-day visit to Sudan, a delegation of UK parliamentarians warned that “the rapid withdrawal of Unamid, without a clear plan, puts stability and security in Darfur at risk”.

 

Displaced people attacked in North Darfur camp

March 29 – 2019 KUTUM

A group of men attacked and insulted a number of residents of Kassab camp for displaced people in Kutum locality in North Darfur on Wednesday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that a group of herders, driving five cars while other herdsmen rode on camels and horses, stormed the northern part of Kassab camp, in search of items they had lost or they claimed were stolen from them.

They beat several people, including a woman, and threatened to burn the camp if their missing belongings were not recovered. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that the camp’s residents appealed to the authorities in Kutum, who deployed military, security and police forces to respond to the attackers.

A camp sheikh told Radio Dabanga that the police informed them that the herders claimed to have lost SDG8,000 ($168) and four telephones.

He pointed out that a meeting will be held on Saturday in Kutum, which includes leaders of camp sheikhs, police and pastoralists, to discuss the problem and come with solutions.

In February, displaced people in Kutum locality in North Darfur complained about the escalation of attacks by herders who trespass with their livestock into gardens and orchards.

“A group of herders riding camels and motorcycles prevented us from farming and expelled us from the area where we collect wood and straw, in the past few weeks,” a camp resident said at the time.

Tensions over land and pastures have often caused clashes between farmers in the region of the Jebel Marra mountains that stretch into North Darfur, and militant herders who want to use their farms as pasture. Displaced people returning to their area of origin complain about new settlers who occupy their villages.