Herders beat, rob 1,000 displaced in Tawila, North Darfur: Sheikh

Residents of camps for the displaced in Tawila locality, North Darfur, have reportedly been injured after being beaten, lashed, and robbed by “pro-government armed herders” on Monday and Tuesday. One of the sheikhs of camp Rwanda told Radio Dabanga that “a group of camel herders armed by the government attacked about a thousand displaced people from the three camps of Tawila – Rwanda, Argo and Dali – as they were moving to cultivate their farms in the Jely Area, 11 kilometres north of Tawila city.” The sheikh said the people were lashed with whips, and beaten with rifle butts which caused “varying wounds”. They were also allegedly robbed of their possessions. “The militant camel herders threatened to beat and kill the displaced if they return to cultivate the area,” the sheikh said. “The herders claim that the area is for grazing, not for agriculture.” He demanded that the authorities intervene to protect the farmers so they do not miss out on the autumn season. File photo