Hundreds protest in El Fasher over market fraud

A crowd gathered today (Tuesday) at the office of the prosecutor in El Fasher, demanding compensation for investments lost in the Mawasir market scam. This follows an announcement over local radio by the governor, who said that those seeking compensation should take their case to the prosecutor. The crowd was broken up by security using tear gas and batons, and it regrouped in the market. Some of the protesters tried to go from there to the house of the governor.

Authorities announced yesterday they had arrested almost 100 merchants accused of having participated in the Mawasir market scam. The two accused masterminds of the scheme, NCP parliamentary contest winners Adam Ismail and Mousa Alsadiq, were reportedly being held at Shalla Prison in North Darfur. It is now believed that they are in fact at the house of the governor.