Border Guards ‘poised to invade Central Darfur capital’
Sudanese paramilitary forces threatened to invade the Central Darfur capital of Zalingei today if the state authorities do not meet their demands. The State Governor has confirmed that there were clashes between the paramilitary and government forces last Monday, but denied that Zalingei is under any threat. Last Monday, government forces tracked down members of the paramilitary Border Guards after they had attempted to steal a vehicle in Zalingei, and killed two of them. The Border Guards demanded from the Central Darfur authorities on Sunday to pay blood money for the loss of their comrades. They further demanded the release of four detained Border Guards, as well as the return of one of their vehicles. A witness told Radio Dabanga that the paramilitary forces in about 43 vehicles, mounted with heavy-machine guns, have been stationed in Azum valley, about 50 km east of Zalingei, since Thursday. “Their convoy has moved from the Afun mountains, located east of Abata and west of Kabkabiya, to Azum.” ‘Attack is a rumour’: Hakam The Governor of Central Darfur, Shartai Jaafar Abdel Hakam Ishag, admitted to Radio Dabanga that some forces were killed during a clash between the Border Guards and the government forces on Monday. He denied that a military group intends to attack Zalingei, calling the reports “rumours”. “The problem is solved and the convoy of the Border Guards broke up. There is no threat to Zalingei,” Jaafar Hakam said. Government forces and members of the Border Guards clashed on Monday, after an attempt to steal a vehicle which belonged to a member of the Salamat tribe. The Sudanese forces chased and attacked the Border Guards. They killed two members, arrested four others, and confiscated one of their vehicles. Nine people sustained injuries during the fighting. One day later, the Border Guards took revenge, and killed a security agent during an attack on government forces inside Zalingei. Map: Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur state. Related: Three dead as govt. forces, Border Guards clash in Zalingei, Central Darfur (29 October 2014)
Sudanese paramilitary forces threatened to invade the Central Darfur capital of Zalingei today if the state authorities do not meet their demands. The State Governor has confirmed that there were clashes between the paramilitary and government forces last Monday, but denied that Zalingei is under any threat.
Last Monday, government forces tracked down members of the paramilitary Border Guards after they had attempted to steal a vehicle in Zalingei, and killed two of them. The Border Guards demanded from the Central Darfur authorities on Sunday to pay blood money for the loss of their comrades. They further demanded the release of four detained Border Guards, as well as the return of one of their vehicles.
A witness told Radio Dabanga that the paramilitary forces in about 43 vehicles, mounted with heavy-machine guns, have been stationed in Azum valley, about 50 km east of Zalingei, since Thursday. “Their convoy has moved from the Afun mountains, located east of Abata and west of Kabkabiya, to Azum.”
‘Attack is a rumour’: Hakam
The Governor of Central Darfur, Shartai Jaafar Abdel Hakam Ishag, admitted to Radio Dabanga that some forces were killed during a clash between the Border Guards and the government forces on Monday. He denied that a military group intends to attack Zalingei, calling the reports “rumours”.
“The problem is solved and the convoy of the Border Guards broke up. There is no threat to Zalingei,” Jaafar Hakam said.
Government forces and members of the Border Guards clashed on Monday, after an attempt to steal a vehicle which belonged to a member of the Salamat tribe. The Sudanese forces chased and attacked the Border Guards. They killed two members, arrested four others, and confiscated one of their vehicles. Nine people sustained injuries during the fighting. One day later, the Border Guards took revenge, and killed a security agent during an attack on government forces inside Zalingei.
Map: Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur state.
Related: Three dead as govt. forces, Border Guards clash in Zalingei, Central Darfur (29 October 2014)
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