‘Herdsmen graze livestock on Darfur farms at gunpoint’: farmers

Multiple farmers from throughout Darfur have complained of “armed pro-government herdsmen” trespassing on their farms and beating and harassing them. Similar reports have reached Radio Dabanga from South, West, and Central Darfur states of herdsmen allowing their camels and livestock to graze on farms. Farmers who face-up to them are reportedly “beaten, lashed, and threatened with death”. Farmers from the Manawashi, Marshang, and Duma in South Darfur, Zalingei, Garsila, Mukjar and Bundisi in Central Darfur and Foro Burunga and El Geneina in West Darfur have told Radio Dabanga they face fierce attacks by the herdsmen. The herdsmen reportedly let their animals graze on the farms at gunpoint, saying that the lands “are for grazing and not for agriculture”. The farmers appealed to the authorities to provide them with protection, so that they can continue farming during this season. File photo by Albert González Farran/Unamid Related: Concerns of farm failure for displaced in Central Darfur (30 July 2013)Darfur farmer killed in air raid on Jebel Marra (23 July)Life ‘harsh and intolerable’ for Darfur displaced (23 July)