North Darfur State convenes emergency meeting

The North Darfur State government convened an “extended meeting” in El Fasher on Tuesday to discuss an emergency plan for the people affected by the recent attacks of the Rapid Support Forces and other militias on villages in areas near El Fasher. The Governor of North Darfur, Osman Kibir, condemned the “shameful criminal acts recently carried out by outlaws” in the rural areas west and northwest of El Fasher. “These criminal operations have caused a mass displacement among the citizens in the rural areas, west and northwest of El Fasher. Many sought refuge in the outskirts of El Fasher, Korma, and Tawila locality,” North Darfur Governor, Osman Kibir, stated in an extended meeting in El Fasher on Tuesday. Governor Kibir had called for the meeting, attended by North Darfur State government members, the security committees of North Darfur State and of El Fasher locality, and leaders from the rural areas surrounding El Fasher, to discuss an emergency plan of action for the affected areas. The areas need security and urgent humanitarian assistance, particular the provision of shelter, food, and clothing. Leaders from the areas of Sarafaya, Birka, and Korma presented detailed reports about the attacks. They called on the North Darfur State authorities to secure the areas, and urgently provide protection to the rural areas in the region. File photo: Osman Mohamed Yusuf Kibir, Governor of North Darfur State (archive Radio Dabanga) Related:Thousands of North Darfur villagers flee to areas short of water (1 April 2014) At least 15 villages raided in Kutum, North Darfur (31 March 2014) RSF attacks in Baashim, North Darfur (30 March 2014) Number of displaced fleeing to North Darfur capital grows (28 March 2014) More than 10,000 livestock stolen in North Darfur (25 March 2014) Unamid protects displaced following Darfur violence (24 March 2014) At least eight villages destroyed in area west of North Darfur’s El Fasher (21 March 2014)