Confiscation of houses ‘attempt to dismantle camp’ in West Darfur

In an apparent attempt by the Sudanese government to dismantle the camp for displaced persons in Garsila, West Darfur, authorities have been confiscating the houses of displaced persons and redistributing them to military commanders and other officials, local sources stated. Sources told Radio Dabanga that this is being done by presenting the displaced with a bureaucratic catch-22 situation. “The displaced are forced to present documents to prove ownership of the land, or to pay a SDG 500 ($115) fee ‘to complete the registration procedures’.” “Authorities have occupied our houses and have redistributed them to leaders of the civil service, security, police, and army,” sources told Radio Dabanga. “The authorities of the area threaten us: either pay or be removed from your lands.” The displaced of Garsila say they do not have the money to pay. “The fact is that this is my house, but suddenly the military comes in claiming the land,” one of them said. “I’m forced to pay or leave. It’s a typical example of the actions by Garsila locality,” he complained. File photo by Albert González Farran/Unamid