‘Robberies and extortion’ at Zam Zam

A series of thefts and extortion broke out around Zam Zam camp, North Darfur, displaced told Radio Dabanga on Monday, 3 December. They said the assaults are carried out by members of the Central Reserve Forces (known as Abu Tira) and pro-government militias. Concerning thefts, sources said not only homes and shops in the camp are targeted, but that Zam Zam residents are often robbed at gunpoint by the roads. The most recent incident was reported on Sunday, in which displaced claim to have been robbed at gunpoint inside the camp. The victims said they were coming from Tabet and that they were assaulted by three Abu Tira elements, who also robbed a butcher at gunpoint. In addition, onlookers affirmed that Abu Tira forces fired intensively in the air while standing near two girls and their father, Adam Yahya, leading to panic and fear among the camp’s population. Extortion Extortion is carried out in homes and shops, in which the perpetrators claim that the displaced are hiding weapons or that they are affiliated with armed movements, victims explained.   According to several camp’s residents, Abu Tira elements and pro-government militias are especially targeting displaced located in marginal neighborhoods in search for money. A student demanded that UNAMID, local, regional and state authorities intervene and stop these violations and abuses. He also demanded that the displaced and their properties are protected and that those involved in these events are brought to justice.   ‘Random shootings’ At the same time, displaced from Abu Shouk and El-Salam camps near El-Fasher, North Darfur, have denounced the security service and the police force for randomly firing shots in the air, they informed Radio Dabanga on Monday. A witness explained the police and security forces, stationed near the camp, normally fire in the evenings. Residents of both camps, he continued, are living in a ‘state of extreme fear’ since the intense shootings began three days ago. The displaced have asked UNAMID to patrol the camps and surroundings at nighttime. They told Radio Dabanga that some sheikhs from both camps are afraid of being arrested for reporting the crimes to the Mission.   Radio Dabanga file photo