Fear of tribal clashes closes weekly market in Bindisi, Central Darfur

The weekly market in Bindisi locality, Central Darfur, was closed by the local Commissioner on Thursday due to security concerns. Commissioner Tijani Mustapha told Radio Dabanga that his decision to close the market was based on fear that the Misseriya-Salamat clashes might overflow into the area, especially after a group of Misseriya passed through the locality chasing a Salamat group. Mustapha said the cancellation of the weekly market was based on the desire of citizens, who feared that the clashes could spill-over into the region. “The closure of the market on Thursday will not affect the livelihood of citizens as there another small market, based within a Bundisi city neighbourhood, to meet the needs of local citizens.” In another incident on Wednesday, two horses belonging to the Gimr tribe were stolen in Bindisi. A group of Gimr tribesmen pursued the perpetrators and managed to retrieve the horses. “When they returned to Bundisi city, they fired into the air to celebrate their success. A random bullet injured an Abbala tribesman, which prompted a clash that left also two Gimr tribesmen injured,” the Commissioner said.The Commissioner stressed that “this was a simple and unintentional incident and the situation is under control. The locality is able to provide security and maintain the discipline between police, army and security services.” Also on Wednesday, witnesses told Radio Dabanga that armed militiamen stopped eight commercial vehicles in Kabar, close to Bundisi city. The vehicles were on their way from the state capital Zalingei to Umm Dukhun. Each of the drivers were made to pay SDG5,000 ($1,135) in the militia checkpoint before they could proceed, they said. File photo by Unamid Related: Police prevent market looting after tribal killing in Central Darfur (3 June 2013) Camp market closed ‘indefinitely’ after attacks by militants, W. Darfur (28 April 2013)