Lawlessness in Kutum due to absence of Darfur police

Kutum Town in North Darfur is in a permanent state of insecurity due to the absence of police within the city for two years. Residents from Kutum told Radio Dabanga that the inability of the army to provide security has allowed militiamen to enter the town robbing people at gunpoint during broad daylight. Radio Dabanga reported this week about the high number of killings, including that of recent murder of Jaafar Mustafa Hassan, a basic school teacher. He was killed inside his home last Wednesday. The citizens of Kutum told Radio Dabanga that they do not even know where they can file a complaint. “There is no policeman around. The situation in Kutum is getting worse and worse. What is the government doing about it? They also have to take responsibility for the situation in the Kassab and Fata Borno camps for the displaced,” said a resident of Kutum to Radio Dabanga. He described how in Kutum militiamen continue to target the displaced people by beating, robbing and raping. He stressed the growing pressure on the people in the camps since they cannot go out anymore to collect firewood and straw. They used to sell these goods at the markets and have now lost their income. Several displaced say their situation has worsened after organisations reduced food rations. File photo: Kutum Market guarded by military staffRelated:Militiamen murder North Darfur teacher (28 November 2013)