‘Drugs dealers defeat militia’ in East Darfur

11 members of an East Darfur militia were killed in a clash with drugs dealers in Bahar El Arab locality on Saturday. Five others were wounded.

The fighting erupted after the militiamen, led by El Sadeg El Savannah, a former Military Intelligence officer, had seized more than 80 [100kg] sacks of cannabis from a group of drugs dealers.

East Darfur Deputy Governor Ali Taher Sharef said that four militiamen were arrested by security troops in the area. They and two of their Land Cruisers were transferred to Ed Daein.

“The members of this militia were wanted for a long time,” he added. “The drugs dealers have now defeated them.”

The head of the East Darfur police, Gen. El Radi Ali Omar, told reporters in the state capital of Ed Daein that the ‘Savannah militia’ used to operate like the army.

“They were wearing military uniforms according to their military ranks, and used to charge fees under the pretext that they are regular troops. They have been wreaking havoc, blocking roads, and kidnapping and robbing people in the area for a very long time.”

Bahar El Arab locality in East Darfur and El Radoom locality in South Darfur, both bordering South Sudan, are the largest areas known for the cultivation and trade of cannabis.