‘Joint forces to be deployed to solve security problems in West Darfur’: Commissioner

The Commissioner of Sirba locality in West Darfur, Abdullah Tayeb Torshin says that he has identified “real security problems” in the areas of Tendelti and Armankul on the Sudan-Chad border. Commissioner Torshin told Radio Dabanga that “the state will deploy the joint forces in the coming days to secure and maintain the lives of citizens”. He pointed out that the police contingent is insufficient to provide security. The “joint forces” the Commissioner refers to are the result of a cooperation agreement between Sudan and Chad by which the Sudanese and Chadian armed forces cooperate in maintaining their mutual border. “The authorities have withdrawn the armed forces since 2011, which has led to instability,” he said. The commissioner confirmed that Armankul market has been closed at the request of the Sheikhs and other native administrators due to its own security conditions and the frequent security problem it has been to the citizens. He said that the market would reopen as soon as the joint forces arrive. Commissioner Torshin denies the existence of any security problems in the area’s camps for the displaced: “Contrary to what the displaced have been repeating about violations by the militias, robbery, rape and new settlers seizing farmers’ agricultural land. “I have been following matters up myself with all the sheiks and omdas and have not heard any complaints or security problems reported by citizens or the displaced. The locality is a good place to live these days, in full cooperation with the native administration,” he concluded. File photo: Chadian troops Related: West Darfur farmers complain of land seizures in Sirba (12 June 2013) Camp market closed ‘indefinitely’ after attacks by militants, W. Darfur (28 April 2013) New cooperation agreements adopted in Sudan-Chad troops summit (26 April 2013)