Chadian rebels accused of rapes, taking farmland north of Kutum, Darfur

Members of the Chadian armed opposition in areas around Al Shakur north of Kutum are accused of raping four women during this past week, two of them on Wednesday.  Witnesses who spoke to Radio Dabanga from the region said that one of the girls who was raped was transferred to receive treatment in Kutum. Witnesses explained that the Chadian opposition has occupied this area for six months without government interference. They said the Chadians have prevented Darfuri farmers in these areas from harvesting their produce, terrorized the farmers and threatened people with weapons.

The residents of the area demanded that the government deport these forces. Khartoum expelled several top Chadian rebel leaders in July (they went to Qatar) as part of a rapprochement with Chad. However, no announcement has been made about moving the Chadian rebels’ rank-and-file.