Herders allegedly kill man in voluntary return village

Herders allegedly armed by the government killed one man, wounded two others and burned 15 huts at the voluntary return village of Hijer Sambo, in Bielel locality, South Darfur, according to a source. Hussein Abu Sharati, spokesman of association for displaced and refugees, told Radio Dabanga that herders stormed the village and forced their livestock into the farms on Sunday midday, 16 December. When the displaced tried speaking to the herders, the alleged perpetrators shot them, burned the huts and looted the surroundings, according to the spokesman. He said the attack left Adam Ahmed Juma dead, and Adam Abdallah and Hussein Ali injured, adding that they come from the Kalma camp.   There are about 700 people living in the area, the spokesman pointed out, while recounting that they all retreated to their respective camps of Kalma, Dreige and Otash, near Nyala, once they were aware of what happened. “Voluntary return is impossible” Speaking to Radio Dabanga, Abu Sharati pointed out that similar incidents happen often in the five states of Darfur. He also mentioned that a similar incident occurred recently in Mesteriha, Sirba locality, in West Darfur. On this note, the spokesman suggested that these incidents show that voluntary return in impossible in Darfur. He stressed that the displaced are facing severe shortage of food, which forces them to leave their camps despite security problems. The spokesman appealed to the UN Security Council and to the World Food Programme (WFP) to immediately intervene and provide food and protection to the displaced, who currently find themselves trapped inside camps in fear of militias’ attacks.Radio Dabanga file photoRelated:Attack on voluntary return village leaves man dead (11 December 2012)Tensions continue in Mesteriha, man killed (10 December 2012)