Government disperses mass protests in Nyala, South Darfur
A number of people were injured when police and security authorities forcibly broke up a mass demonstration witnessed in the city of Nyala in South Darfur on Tuesday. The new governor Hamad Ismail Hamad for South Darfur state was arriving to be sworn in at the Nyala office. Some citizens demanded the return of the ex-governor Abdul Hamid Musa Kasha, who was recently appointed governor to the newly formed East Darfur state. Police reportedly used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators and security forces fired shots at the crowds seriously injuring some people and wounding others. A witness speaking from Nyala, told Radio Dabanga the demonstrations began after the arrival of the new governor. He said supporters of the last governor Kasha started calling for his return, and were joined by other demonstrators from various parts of the city calling for the all-out overthrow of the regime in Khartoum.Demonstrators set cars on fire and burned tires in the streets. Security forces stormed the Grand Mosque beating worshipers, and chased people through Nyala market. The witness said 11 people were injured as a result of the gunfire. Tear gas fired into Nyala University There were also reports of the central reserve forces (Abu Tira) and police firing tear gas inside Nyala’s university in the direction of students who were gathering on campus. A witness said they proceeded to cordon off the university gates to prevent students from leaving and joining the demonstrations taking place. Students then held an open forum inside the university which Radio Dabanga was allowed to listen into. Speakers said ‘ordinary citizens are paying the price for the conflict that is clearly taking place within the ruling National Congress Party in the state.’ ‘Kasha was elected through rigged elections, and Hamad was installed by the central government in Khartoum.’ Students said the focus should be on ‘completely ending the NCP regime, as Hamad nor Kasha will solve the problems of the area.’ ‘Excessive force’ from policeSome students were also reported as fainting as a result of the density of tear gas being used. They told Radio Dabanga police chased students through neighbourhoods using excessive force with batons, shots and tear gas to stop the demonstration. They said the situation in Nyala remains tense and police and security services have been extensively deployed to the streets. Abu Tira fires on demonstrators Another witness said four students were injured when Abu Tira forces fired on crowds of students demonstrating. Demonstrators smashed the windows of buildings set to house the new governor and a number of cars. He said ‘demonstrators showed their commitment to the province and the rejection of both governors.’ Police chief asks citizens to ignore ‘rumors’ General Taha Jalal al-Din chief of police for the state of South Darfur said police managed to ‘contain riots’ in Nyala. He told the government owned Sudan news agency police responded to a breach of security when citizens gathered to welcome the new governor. Al-Din said demonstrators tried to attack government vehicles with stones but police managed to control the situation without any injuries or deaths. He stressed the police managed to secure the arrival of the high level delegation from Khartoum, under the chairmanship of adviser to the President, Al Shertai Jafar Abdal Hakam. The police chief appealed to citizens in South Darfur not to pay any attention to ‘rumors’ which he said are seeking to destabilize security and encourage discord amongst the people.
A number of people were injured when police and security authorities forcibly broke up a mass demonstration witnessed in the city of Nyala in South Darfur on Tuesday.
The new governor Hamad Ismail Hamad for South Darfur state was arriving to be sworn in at the Nyala office.
Some citizens demanded the return of the ex-governor Abdul Hamid Musa Kasha, who was recently appointed governor to the newly formed East Darfur state.
Police reportedly used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators and security forces fired shots at the crowds seriously injuring some people and wounding others.
A witness speaking from Nyala, told Radio Dabanga the demonstrations began after the arrival of the new governor.
He said supporters of the last governor Kasha started calling for his return, and were joined by other demonstrators from various parts of the city calling for the all-out overthrow of the regime in Khartoum.
Demonstrators set cars on fire and burned tires in the streets. Security forces stormed the Grand Mosque beating worshipers, and chased people through Nyala market.
The witness said 11 people were injured as a result of the gunfire.
Tear gas fired into Nyala University
There were also reports of the central reserve forces (Abu Tira) and police firing tear gas inside Nyala’s university in the direction of students who were gathering on campus.
A witness said they proceeded to cordon off the university gates to prevent students from leaving and joining the demonstrations taking place.
Students then held an open forum inside the university which Radio Dabanga was allowed to listen into.
Speakers said ‘ordinary citizens are paying the price for the conflict that is clearly taking place within the ruling National Congress Party in the state.’
‘Kasha was elected through rigged elections, and Hamad was installed by the central government in Khartoum.’
Students said the focus should be on ‘completely ending the NCP regime, as Hamad nor Kasha will solve the problems of the area.’
‘Excessive force’ from police
Some students were also reported as fainting as a result of the density of tear gas being used.
They told Radio Dabanga police chased students through neighbourhoods using excessive force with batons, shots and tear gas to stop the demonstration.
They said the situation in Nyala remains tense and police and security services have been extensively deployed to the streets.
Abu Tira fires on demonstrators
Another witness said four students were injured when Abu Tira forces fired on crowds of students demonstrating.
Demonstrators smashed the windows of buildings set to house the new governor and a number of cars.
He said ‘demonstrators showed their commitment to the province and the rejection of both governors.’
Police chief asks citizens to ignore ‘rumors’
General Taha Jalal al-Din chief of police for the state of South Darfur said police managed to ‘contain riots’ in Nyala.
He told the government owned Sudan news agency police responded to a breach of security when citizens gathered to welcome the new governor.
Al-Din said demonstrators tried to attack government vehicles with stones but police managed to control the situation without any injuries or deaths.
He stressed the police managed to secure the arrival of the high level delegation from Khartoum, under the chairmanship of adviser to the President, Al Shertai Jafar Abdal Hakam.
The police chief appealed to citizens in South Darfur not to pay any attention to ‘rumors’ which he said are seeking to destabilize security and encourage discord amongst the people.
A number of people were injured when police and security authorities forcibly broke up a mass demonstration witnessed in the city of Nyala in South Darfur on Tuesday.
The new governor Hamad Ismail Hamad for South Darfur state was arriving to be sworn in at the Nyala office.
Some citizens demanded the return of the ex-governor Abdul Hamid Musa Kasha, who was recently appointed governor to the newly formed East Darfur state.
Police reportedly used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators and security forces fired shots at the crowds seriously injuring some people and wounding others.
A witness speaking from Nyala, told Radio Dabanga the demonstrations began after the arrival of the new governor.
He said supporters of the last governor Kasha started calling for his return, and were joined by other demonstrators from various parts of the city calling for the all-out overthrow of the regime in Khartoum.
Demonstrators set cars on fire and burned tires in the streets. Security forces stormed the Grand Mosque beating worshipers, and chased people through Nyala market.
The witness said 11 people were injured as a result of the gunfire.
Tear gas fired into Nyala University
There were also reports of the central reserve forces (Abu Tira) and police firing tear gas inside Nyala’s university in the direction of students who were gathering on campus.
A witness said they proceeded to cordon off the university gates to prevent students from leaving and joining the demonstrations taking place.
Students then held an open forum inside the university which Radio Dabanga was allowed to listen into.
Speakers said ‘ordinary citizens are paying the price for the conflict that is clearly taking place within the ruling National Congress Party in the state.’
‘Kasha was elected through rigged elections, and Hamad was installed by the central government in Khartoum.’
Students said the focus should be on ‘completely ending the NCP regime, as Hamad nor Kasha will solve the problems of the area.’
‘Excessive force’ from police
Some students were also reported as fainting as a result of the density of tear gas being used.
They told Radio Dabanga police chased students through neighbourhoods using excessive force with batons, shots and tear gas to stop the demonstration.
They said the situation in Nyala remains tense and police and security services have been extensively deployed to the streets.
Abu Tira fires on demonstrators
Another witness said four students were injured when Abu Tira forces fired on crowds of students demonstrating.
Demonstrators smashed the windows of buildings set to house the new governor and a number of cars.
He said ‘demonstrators showed their commitment to the province and the rejection of both governors.’
Police chief asks citizens to ignore ‘rumors’
General Taha Jalal al-Din chief of police for the state of South Darfur said police managed to ‘contain riots’ in Nyala.
He told the government owned Sudan news agency police responded to a breach of security when citizens gathered to welcome the new governor.
Al-Din said demonstrators tried to attack government vehicles with stones but police managed to control the situation without any injuries or deaths.
He stressed the police managed to secure the arrival of the high level delegation from Khartoum, under the chairmanship of adviser to the President, Al Shertai Jafar Abdal Hakam.
The police chief appealed to citizens in South Darfur not to pay any attention to ‘rumors’ which he said are seeking to destabilize security and encourage discord amongst the people.
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