Settlers prevent displaced from returning to Darfur’s Jebel Marra

New settlers have reportedly occupied more than 20 villages in Darfur’s East Jebel Marra since the beginning of January last year.

The new settlers have settled in villages whose populations were displaced as a result of attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in 2014 and 2015. The villagers now live in the camp for the displaced at Tabit in North Darfur.

The displaced villagers say that the new settlers have set up their homes in those villages, and prevent the displaced from returning. They also apparently receive logistical support from the RSF.

One of the camp sheikhs told Radio Dabanga that when some of the displaced from Tabit tried to return to the villages for cultivation, harvest, or to collect belongings from their homes, they were denied entry and beaten by the new occupants.

The sheikh said that some of the villages have been occupied as recently as this month. “Vehicles belonging to the RSF came from Nyala. They brought engines to draw water from wells. These were distributed in those villages to provide water for the new settlers."