RSF raid on Darfur gold mine nets weapons, motor cycles

Large formations of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in dozens of armed vehicles entered Jebel Amer gold mine in North Darfur, carried out a large-scale search campaign, confiscated weapons and motor cycles and removed kadamols from faces while the opposition militants reportedly fled the mine.

At the same time, the same forces carried out another raid at Ghurra area during which they seized weapons and motorcycles.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that one of the militia members at Ghurra area refused to remove his kadamols and drew a knife, but the soldiers opened fire, wounded him on the leg and then shaved his hair.

Colonel Abdelrahman El Jaali said that the forces at Ghurra area managed to seize a large number of motorcycles used by the militias in stealing property of citizens.

Request for EU support

In Khartoum, the Sudanese government asked the European Union for political and technical support for the arms collection process in Darfur and the rest of the states.

The government’s request came during a meeting between the Vice President of the Republic, Hasabo Abdelrahman and the European Union Ambassador to Khartoum, Jean-Michel Dumond at the presidential palace yesterday.

The meeting also dealt with the efforts of the state to settle the displaced person through the three options, which include returning to their villages, settling them in the same area or finding jobs for them.

He pointed out to the state’s keenness to move from humanitarian support to development.

Ambassador Khalid Mousa, the director of the European Administration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the EU ambassador confirmed the EU’s support for the state’s efforts in the arms collection process and the EU’s praise of Khartoum for hosting the regional centre for combatting human trafficking

Jebel Marra

Meanwhile, the SLM of Abdelwahid El Nur leadership announced offsetting of the government’s plan to open Kalokiting market in Jebel Marra without the desire of the people of the area or providing the least protection to claim voluntary return. Yesterday Ezzeldin Sambala, the military spokesman of the movement, told Radio Dabanga that a force of the movement managed to thwart the government’s plan to open the market and impose it against the will of the residents Toran Tora and Tori areas which are controlled by the movement.

He said that what the government is promoting about the residents’ desire to return is “a barefaced lie”.