Farmers in four Darfur states threatened by ‘armed herders’

Farmers in four states of Darfur are complaining about armed herdsmen grazing their camels and livestock on their farmlands by force. Due to such disputes, it has been agreed that herdsmen are allowed to graze their livestock on the farmlands from February onwards. Complaints are reaching Radio Dabanga from farmers in the localities of Kutum, Kabkabiya and Saraf Omra in North Darfur; Kass, Garsila and Bindisi in Central Darfur; Manawashi and Mershing in South Darfur; and Foro Baranga and Murnei in West Darfur.They claim that, ahead of schedule, “herdsmen armed by the government” began releasing their camels and cattle on farmlands. “Herders beat us and threaten to kill us. We filed complaints with authorities, but they did not even move a finger,” a source was quoted as saying to Radio Dabanga.  Meanwhile, farmers in the areas of Burouga, south of Kass, and Baya, Golja, Wadi Geddo and Mari in Wadi Salih, and Geigir, west of Bindisi, in Murnei, Nierteti and Kondobe, have also reported abuses by armed herders.They told Radio Dabanga that herdsmen steal their money, mobile phones and agricultural tools, in addition beating them with rifle butts, batons, and whips.  File photo by Albert González Farran/Unamid  Related: Herdsmen grazing land of displaced Darfur farmers (15 September 2013)‘North Darfur planting season failing due to grazing livestock, shortages’: farmers (7 August 2013)‘Herdsmen graze livestock on Darfur farms at gunpoint’: farmers (31 July 2013)