Abu Tira troops digging trench around Zamzam

Camp director says he was surprised to see UNAMID forces working in tandem

Central reserve forces, commonly referred to as Abu Tira, have a dug a trench around North Darfur’s Zamzam camp, residents told Radio Dabanga on Thursday.The camp director complained that there was only one way to leave and enter the camp now. “The entrance at the south gate is the only one that is functioning. There’s an Abu Tira post at this gate,” he said.

He was surprised to discover that the United Nations African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) troops had been helping the Abu Tira forces with cranes meant for digging the trench.

The move is viewed as being meant to control the movement and mobility of the refugees.

The depth of the trenches were said to be approximately two meters and the width one and a half meters. The trenches have caused difficulties in everyday life of the refugees. Mobility of the residents has been restricted, especially for those owning cattle and working in farms.

Firing near school

Abu Tira personnel reportedly opened fire near a school in the west of Zamzam camps causing panic among the school students who fled the scene.

An activist residig in the camp told Radio Dabanga, “There is fear and panic among the refugees because of the shooting. The digging of the trenches is also scaring people.” He added that camp authorities or UNAMID forces had provided any explanation for their activities.

Saraf Omra coordinator escapes death

Coordinator of Saraf Omra camps in North Darfur survived an ambush against him on Wednesday, one of his relatives told Radio Dabanga.

The relative said, “An armed group opened fire on the coordinator when he was returning from Saraf Omra twon to the camp.” The sheikh was visiting the village to offer condolences to the families of the dead in last week’s violence.

While the sheikh escaped unhurt, the driver of his rickshaw reportedly suffered from injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.