Inquiry into deadly North Darfur market shooting

The commissioner of Kutum locality in North Darfur, Mohamed El Haj, has announced the formation of a committee of inquiry into the killing and wounding of 11 people on Friday.

The commissioner said in a press statement that a suspect has been arrested and legal action is being taken against him.

Commissioner El Haj told the press on Friday that 11 people were killed and wounded: three army soldiers, three militiamen, and five citizens.

Varying initial accounts of the incident that reached Radio Dabanga assert on one hand that the shooting was triggered by an attempt of two Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militiamen to forcibly remove a kadamol [a scarf covering the face] from the head of an army officer. Others reported that the two accused the officer of possessing drugs.

All agreed that a row erupted between an army officer and two RSF members at Kutum market. They said that the officer suddenly began shooting at them. Both militiamen and a passer-by died instantly. Five others, two children, two women and a man, sustained various bullet wounds.