Leaders freeze activities in protest of East Darfur insecurity

The legislative, executive and political leaders of the Sheiria and Yassin localities in East Darfur state have announced that they “have frozen” their activities for the state government. They protest the plundering, robberies and kidnapping of citizens by militiamen, the attacks on farmers and the destruction of farmlands by herders in the region. The chairperson of East Darfur’s Legislative Council and Nazir of the Birgid tribe, General Musa Jalis Adam Yagoub explained this in a press statement on 4 December. “The two localities have neglected the residents for more than three months by now.” 22 citizens have been killed, three others abducted and 137 farmlands destructed, Yagoub stressed. “This, while the residents of Sheiria and Yassin were expecting development and stability when they joined East Darfur, after the secession of South Darfur. However, they are disappointed after all these incidents of insecurity.” He confirmed that they will withdraw from the state government if the problem is not addressed, noting that the decision to freeze their activities is a first step to draw attention. It will be followed by the final withdrawal of the government if the problems are not handled.Related: UN: insecurity hampers aid to 176,000 displaced in East Darfur (3 November 2013)File photo: A looted shop in the former market in Labado village, East Darfur (Albert González Farran, Unamid)