Abbala demand ‘blood money or attack’ Darfur town

Abbala “militias” are claiming residents of a North Darfur town killed one of their comrades and are threatening to invade and plunder the municipality if blood money is not paid. The gunmen believe residents of Saraf Omra murdered their aide because he was allegedly found dead in a valley just south of city. According to sources, the Abbala kidnapped three local residents claiming they know and have links with the people who killed their comrade.The captives were taken to an undisclosed destination. Their names are Mohamed, Yissa Danay, and Osman Abdullah, known as Al Binsi and owner of a carpentry atelier. Eyewitnesses informed Radio Dabanga about large gatherings of Abbala militants south of Saraf Omra between Wednesday and Thursday. They have arrived on camels, motorbikes and vehicles. UNAMID and the police are aware of gatherings, sources affirmed. Radio Dabanga has been receiving frequent reports about militias imposing exorbitant amounts of blood money on displaced persons of Darfur, which have reached record levels recently. Many of these incidents are reported to be forged, with sources affirming that militias falsely accuse displaced of killing cows, camels or people and force them to pay blood money.50 mobile phonesSeparately, an armed group carjacked on Wednesday the vehicle of a merchant called Omar Komar inside his house located in the Ammar district in Saraf Omra. The same group also looted 50 mobile phones of pedestrians. Citizens are complaining about the increasing attacks and abuses by “pro-government militias”.They are demanding authorities to put an end to violations and hold perpetrators accountable.Related: Sudan official to ask clerics advice on Darfur blood money issue (27 March 2013)