New court to be established in East Darfur, West Kordofan border area

The Sudanese Chief Justice, Ahmed Haydar Dafallah, has ordered the establishment of a special criminal court in the petrol rich area of Hadeeda Um Zurga, located at the border of East Darfur and West Kordofan.

The court’s competences are set forth in the East Darfur Emergency Act. According to the Chief Justice’s order, the court will handle complaints about the possession of arms without a license, murders, armed robberies, as well as crimes related to narcotics, and crimes against the state. In addition the court will handle cases of rioters and those who violate the public safety.

The court’s jurisdiction includes the localities of Ghibeish, El Udeya, El Salam, and Abyei in West Kordofan, Adila and Abu Karinka in East Darfur, and El Laeit Jarelnabi in North Darfur.

Both West Kordofan and East Darfur claim the area of Hadeeda Um Zurga.