Abductions sow unrest in North and South Darfur

Militiamen have terrorised the population in Kutum, North Darfur, by opening fire on people, closing down the main road, and attempts of abduction. In the South Darfur capital, merchants have been violently abducted by militiamen.

A resident of Kutum told Radio Dabanga on Thursday that militiamen wearing military uniforms tried to rob Muhajir, a merchant, and shot him three times in one of his legs when he resisted. Muhajir sustained multiple fractures and was taken to El Fasher for treatment.

Another group tried to abduct the brother of the Commissioner of Kutum, Adam Awadelkarim Bosh. The militiamen, moving in a Land Cruiser and on two motorcycles, attacked Bosh with sticks on the street. A large number of men and women took to the streets and forced the attackers to flee.

In addition, the militiamen have closed the El Fasher-Kutum road. “The militiants still have a significant presence in Kutum,” the resident said.

Abductions in Nyala

On Wednesday, four gunmen in military uniforms abducted two merchants from the centre of the southern market of Nyala in South Darfur State. They beat one merchant with their rifle butts when he resisted. A witness told Radio Dabanga that the merchant was wounded on the head, before they abductors took him to an unknown destination.

Trader Adam Abubaker was kidnapped in a four-wheel drive vehicle after being tied up in Nyala. A witness said that gunmen threatened the rest of the traders with death, and pointed guns on their faces.