Militiamen threaten to torch camp for displaced in West Darfur

Militiamen reportedly threatened residents of the Ban Jadid camp for the displaced in the municipality of Sirba, West Darfur, to kill them and torch the camp if they refuse to pay them SDG20,000 ($4,500). A sheikh of the Ban Jadid camp reported to Radio Dabanga that militiamen claim that the displaced have stolen a machine gun from them. As compensation for the weapon they demand SDG20,000 from the camp residents.  On Thursday, the Sheikh said, militiamen on camels and horses surrounded the camp, giving the residents three hours to pay the amount or they would torch the camp. The Sheikh added that they informed the authorities about the incident, and when they did not react, the residents collected SDG15,000 to avoid casualties. A day earlier, militiamen seriously wounded two residents of Kondobe camp for the displaced in the same area on Wednesday evening. They were transferred to the hospital of El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur, for treatment. The gunmen pillaged a number of houses in the camp. File photo: Radio Dabanga Related: Militiamen block roads near South Darfur capital; at least five villagers shot (1 October 2013)‘20 displaced wounded in West Darfur militia attack’: Sheikh (1 September 2013)Darfur displaced repeat appeal for help (10 September 2013)