1 killed, 6 critically injured in camp looting by Abu-Tira

Camp population in shock as Central Reserve Forces beat and shoot at displaced people

Internally displaced person Aseyid Abdullah Abdalbannat was shot dead in ZamZam camp by a group of people belonging to the Central Reserve Forces, also known as Abu-Tira, according to local witnesses. The incident happened on Tuesday evening; six (6) additional displaced people sustained serious injuries in the process (Mutasim Abdullah Abdabannat, Naima Ishaq Solomon, Haj Yehia Mohamed Tum, Juma Al-Amin Shunmein, Hassan Daqo and Said Ismail).

Witnesses who spoke with Radio Dabanga, explained the scene occurred in the neigborhood of Muhajariya: “Four (4) Abu-Tira members came after the evening prayer with the intention to plunder three shops. When the shop-owners refused to hand over the goods, mobile phones and money they were asking for, the Central Reserve Forces started shooting in the air, then left for their headquarters, situated close-by,” they explained.

“Soon after, they came back with four (4) cars filled with reinforcements. They surrounded the area, then opened fire on the population, leading to Mr. Abdabannat’s death and the grave wounding of six more people.”Shops entirely looted and civilians beaten up

Other witnesses from ZamZam camp reported that after intense shootings in the neighborhood, the Abu-Tira forces entirely looted the three shops, charging refrigerators, various electrical appliances and money into their cars. “They would randomly beat the people in the area of the incident using sticks they were carrying, causing mild injuries to an unknown number of displaced persons,” they told Radio Dabanga.

The witnesses state to have informed UNAMID in time of the incident, but no help came from the Mission. The Sudanese Police was warned after, but was unable to access the scene despite efforts in this direction, as officers were being shot at by the Abu-Tira surrounding the neighborhood. The additional shootings caused further panic among the displaced, who fled their homes.

Medical assistance refused access

The area only became accessible again around 8 a.m. the following day. Medical services came to pick up the wounded, who had been bleeding throughout the night. They were brought to El-Fasher hospital to receive treatment. According to witnesses, this was due to the Central Reserve Forces surrounding the neighborhood and preventing access to it.

Anger towards UNAMID’s inaction

Further witnesses explained that UNAMID members had come on Wednesday morning to the place of the incident. However, the displaced people, along with the victims’ families, met them with protestations, chanting slogans denouncing UNAMID’s inability to stand for its role as protector of the population. “The UNAMID does no longer patrol on our site,” a leader of the displaced people told Radio Dabanga, “nor do they hold meetings with camp leaders to be kept up-to-date on complaints and violations anymore like they used to.” Radio Dabanga tried repeatedly to contact a UNAMID spokesperson, as well as the Information Office for comments, but was not able to reach anyone.