Darfur displaced poll: ‘militias abuses a policy of Sudan regime’

Abuses against the displaced in Darfur are a “systematic policy of the government of Sudan, together with militias, to weaken us, expel us from our original areas and dismantle the camps”. This statement was made by a displaced in Darfur during an opinion poll carried out by Radio Dabanga this week. Forty people participated in the survey, which investigated how violations by pro-government militias could be halted in Darfur. Contributions were made from eight camps in four states: North, South, Central and West Darfur. Interviewees included omdas, activists, women and youngsters from the camps of Zamzam and Kassab (North Darfur), Garsila and Bindisi (Central Darfur), Murnei and Sirba (West Darfur), Kalma and El Salam (South Darfur). A displaced told Radio Dabanga that violations and abuses happening in Darfur are endorsed by the government and “the proof is that all these incidents happen under the eyes and ears of authorities”. An interviewee said they often pay ransoms and “protection money” because high level authorities intervene and “force” them to disburse the amounts demanded by militias. These authorities, according to the source, include governors, commissioners and members of the security services. In addition, displaced claim to be forced to disburse the sums stipulated by militants because “as opposed to them, we are not armed” and “militias threaten to burn our homes”. “We pay to avoid further problems” another source said. Ransoms from kidnappings, he continued, vary from 100 million to 172 million Sudanese pounds (SDG), which was paid in Murnei last week, as reported by Radio Dabanga. The displaced said this was the highest amount ever paid for ransom or blood money that he knows of. Payoff for camels may fluctuate between five and 15 million SDG, for cows between five and 10 million SDG and for sheep and goats between 400,000 and 600,000, a poll contributor outlined. How to stop violations? Various interviewees believe in different ways to stop violations against the displaced in Darfur. Some said that many of the abuses would end if Sudan had local, state and central governments that enforced the rule of law, held criminals accountable and brought them to justice. Others added that all people in Darfur and in Sudan must be treated equally by the regime, noting that at the moment, militias and “especially” border guards receive special treatments from the central government. Meanwhile, other sources were more outspoken about a regime change and declared the situation would not be different until the current government is toppled. Poll contributors further suggested that the situation would improve if the international community fulfilled its role and if “in particular” UNAMID protected the displaced. A different interviewee noted that “this regime allows militias to commit crimes, because it believes we support rebel forces.By crushing the displaced, militias receive rewards from Khartoum, which is seen as an opportunity by many to make money and weaken and expel us. Once we are gone, militants can use the free land for grazing their cattle”. Photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran/ UNAMIDRelated: Abbala, not displaced killed man near W Darfur camp -source (20 March 2013)