E. Darfur residents to receive compensation for oil exploration

The director of the legal department of East Darfur agreed with the ministry of oil to pay five thousand Sudanese pounds per square kilometer to residents damaged by the oil explorations in the state. Ahmed Mustafa said the compensation would be paid in three phases, adding a coordinator would be chosen to manage the issue with citizens of the affected Adela and Abu Karinka localities. Concerning the matter of unregistered lands, Mustafa said properties’ certificates submitted by sheikhs or by omdas would be enough proof to accept their validity. He noted that if oil companies try taking over these terrains, they would be taken to trial. On 7 February three people were arrested for demanding compensation for damages caused by the establishment of an oilfield in Adela locality. This led thousands to take Ed-Daein’s streets, the state’s capital, to protests against the citizens’ detention. Three days later East Darfur’s governor announced the establishment of two committees in charge of investigating Adela locality’s issues with oil companies, as reported by Radio Dabanga.Radio Dabanga file photoRelated:’Committees to investigate Adela locality’s issues with oil companies’ (10 Februarty 2013)East Darfur oilfield: 3 arrested, ‘thousands’ protest (7 February 2013)