Displaced firewood collectors robbed in South Darfur

Several displaced residents of Manawashi in South Darfur were allegedly robbed on Thursday morning by pro-government militiamen. One of the victims told Radio Dabanga that three gunmen opened fire on their vehicle that was being used to transport firewood in the Alla Yastur area northeast of Manawashi. “The men robbed the displaced of all the money and goods they were carrying and fled.” The same victim recounted that a week ago, pro-government militiamen threatened three vehicles moving from Nyala on their way to Manawashi, forcing the owner of each vehicle to pay SDG1,200 ($270). “The pro-government militias practice looting and robbery on an ongoing basis,” he said, “despite the presence of police, army and Unamid forces in the region.” The witness mentioned that the militias often impersonate forestry protection officers or local officials of the localities forcing displaced people who collect firewood to pay sums of money. “Last week, militiamen seized 12 carts being used by displaced students to collect wood. They took them to Niteaga locality area and forced them to pay SDG60 ($14) per each cart, on the pretext that they represented the locality. “A delegation from the native administration went to Niteaga to clarify the matter, however they denied imposing the fines,” the witness said. He appealed to the army, police and Unamid to protect them from “attacks and extortion by pro-government militias”. File photo: Albert González Farran/UNAMID