RSF aid convoy reaches South Darfur

The Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) in Kass in South Darfur welcomed the arrival of the humanitarian aid convoy for newly displaced in the locality yesterday. A villager was shot dead in South Darfur, and forces have been deployed and directors dismissed in other parts of Darfur.

The aid has been organised by the Centre for Conflict Prevention, Reconciliation and Development in cooperation with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

In a press conference in Kass, FFC representative Mohamed Ismail praised the efforts of the RSF Commander and Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Mohamed Hamdan ‘Hemeti’, for “alleviating the suffering of the people of Boronga, Keilik and Shattaya”.

Shartai Feisal Abdeljabbar confirmed that this assistance is desperately needed, after people fled their homes and farms during bloody attacks by gunmen headed by a militant nicknamed Dukhan in the first week of August.

A force of paramilitary RSF is currently facilitating the return of thousands of newly displaced people to their villages in Kass and Shataya localities in South Darfur.

Omda Adam Ateem, Head of the Voluntary Return Executive Office, praised the RSF and state government for their proactivity.

Compensation for farmers

On Wednesday, a villager was shot dead in an armed robbery in Gireida in South Darfur.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, Mohamed Mousa reported that about 20 gunmen riding on camels and horses raided Um Gatoi village, 30 kilometres south-west of Gireida, at about 22:00.

Shooting by the gunmen reportedly led to the death of Haj Abdelkarim Abdallah. They took the horse of the victim and goats of villagers.

Farmers in the area of Tabit in North Darfur’s Tawila locality have demanded compensation from authorities for farmers who lose their crops when livestock trespass their land.

Farmer Hasan Adam told Radio Dabanga that about camels and sheep entered farmland near Tabit on Wednesday, destroying 150 acres of crops. Government forces returned the livestock back to El Hamil village near Tabit. Owners were only made to pay a fee for the livestock, with no consideration for farmer’s losses.

The farmer said that a neutral committee should be formed to determine the cost of losses and compel livestock owners to pay compensation.

Directors dismissed

In North Darfur, Governor Mohamed Arabi dismissed the director of Um Kedada locality and the director of the Water Network in the locality.

One person drowned west of Um Kedada after major floods caused houses to collapse on Wednesday. Hundreds of people in the area are now living without housing, according to residents.

“Violence in several parts, including recent intercommunal clashes in Port Sudan, Red Sea State, and flooding affecting over 263,000 people, are driving further displacement and increasing needs,” according to UN OCHA.

Forces deployed

The Governor of East Darfur, Mohamed Eisa, directed the police to arrest “all criminals that undermine the security and safety of state citizens” yesterday. The authorities in Ed Daein deployed policemen, supported by army troops and paramilitaries of the RSF in 52 areas in all nine localities of the state.

The directive followed killings this week in Um Dei in Asalaya, El Huda in Abu Jabra, and Khor Omar in Ed Daein locality. East Darfur Police Chief and Rapporteur of the state’s Security Committee Maj Gen Ahmed Tahir said that these directives will put an end to abuse of Rule of Law.

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