Herders request 100 million ransom for hostages

A group of armed herders kidnapped 14 residents from Mistreha, Beda locality in West Darfur, and is requesting a total ransom of 100 million Sudanese pounds for their release, a victim’s relative told Radio Dabanga. The citizens were kidnapped on Tuesday, 30 October while working on their farms located 40 kilometers southwest of El-Geneina, the source added. He also said that during the attack, many victims were hit by the herders, who also stole 200 mobile phones and money from them.     According to sources, the conflict started because the body of a 70-year-old woman related to the herders’ group was found by them near one of the farms. The perpetrators accused the local residents of killing the woman and said they will not release the hostages until they receive the 100 million pounds they requested to compensate for her death. In addition, a victim’s relative told Radio Dabanga the herders threatened to burn Mistreha and kill the hostages if the compensation is not paid.   Witnesses said that despite the intervention of sultan Saad Bahradin of Massalit tribe and of the commissioner of Beda locality, the problem was not solved. Nevertheless, sources said that two of the 14 hostages were released on Wednesday evening after half of the ransom (50 million pounds) was paid to the herders.