Hundreds of militia troops enter Central Darfur

Displaced in Central Darfur are living in fear after the large groups of militia combatants have entered the state. “Large groups of government-backed militia forces in Land Cruisers entered Central Darfur recently, and are stationed around the capital Zalingei,” the coordinator of the Central Darfur camps reported to Radio Dabanga on Wednesday. “More than 200 militia troops are currently stationed in the area of Beida, east of Zalingei, and about 300 along the mountains of Tululu, south of the capital. More than 1,000 militiamen are concentrating in the area of Ifoun, located east of Abata, and about 250 troops near Jebel Kargo, south of Abata. The number of militia elements in the area of Jebel Konsho, northwest of Zalingei, amounts to about 300.” “The displaced are terrified, as they know from experience what these government-backed militias can do,” the coordinator stressed. He urged Unamid to “immediately provide patrols for the protection of the displaced and the villagers living in the area”, and demanded from the Sudanese government to disarm the militias, and bring them to justice. The coordinator added that he holds the Central Darfur State authorities and Unamid responsible for the safety of the people in the state. File photo