‘Robberies by militiamen in South Darfur camp continue’: elder
Displaced people living in Otash camp are fed up with the continuous attacks by militiamen, who break into shops and homes at night and rob people on the roads.
Internally displaced people living in Otash camp in South Darfur are fed up with the continuous attacks by militiamen, who break into shops and homes at night and rob people on the roads. Checkpoints, set up by paramilitary troops, are impeding the movement of civilians in Central Darfur.
One of the sheikhs in the camp, east of Nyala city, told Radio Dabanga that the camp has witnessed “a series of attacks and acts of robberies during the past few days, at the hands of pro-government militias”. The latest incidents involved wreaking havoc in shops and stealing the money and goods inside, in addition to robbing money, mobile phones and other belongings from a number of displaced people.
The sheikh appealed to the AU-UN joint peacekeeping mission in Darfur and the Sudanese authorities to protect the displaced population by ending the violations by the pro-government militia members.
Other incidents that demonstrate the insecurity in Otash camp include the killing of two camp residents, both opponents of the election, on 12 April. That same night, a humanitarian volunteer was found stabbed to death, according to a camp elder. On 30 March, militiamen shot dead Sheikh Ahmed Idris Abu Shama inside his shelter at the camp.
Meanwhile, one of the three health organisations in Otash will be unable to continue providing health services to the displaced people there and in Um Dafug area. The Rufaida Health Organisation is the only health service provider for the estimated 7,000 displaced people, and 9,300 returnees in the area of Um Dafug, according to the UN humanitarian office (OCHA) in April.
Checkpoints in Nierteti
In Nierteti locality in Central Darfur, residents have complained about the establishment of about eight checkpoints along the road between Nierteti and Tur. The points were set up by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Sunday.
One of the affected residents said: “This paralysed the movement of civilians, especially the people who shop and go out to collect firewood and straw. They fear to be attacked or robbed by the Rapid Support Forces.”
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