Sheikh shot dead in Hamidiya

Coordinator of Zalingei camps accuses government forces of carrying out the killing

A sheikh in Hamidiya refugee camp in Zalingei, West Darfur was allegedly shot dead on Saturday by gunmen loyal to the Sudanese government.

Witnesses said that the perpetrators shot Sheikh Abbas Juma Barak twice in the chest by a creek between Zalingei town and Hamidiya refugee camp.

The incident took place when Sheikh Abbas was on his way home in the camp after his evening prayers in Zalingei.

The coordinator of the Zalingei camps told Radio Dabanga that camp leaders had informed the United Nations African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) of the incident.

“The government coordinated the killing of Sheikh Abbas. He is a member of the committee of food distribution of the camp,” the camp coordinator told Radio Dabanga.

Though the motive behind the killing has not yet been confirmed, the Sheikh’s activist background is likely to be a reason for him being targeted.

Radio Dabanga had recently reported about alleged indiscriminate firing in North Darfur camps by Central Reserve Forces, also referred to as ‘Abu Tira’.

Rains affect Zamzam

Dozens of homes in North Darfur’s Zamzam refugee camp (blocks A and B) were destroyed on Sunday due to heavy rains. Families whose homes have been washed away are left homeless as a result.

The residents of the camp appealed to international aid organizations, the United Nations and UNAMID to provide immediate help and assistance.

A leader of the camp told Radio Dabanga, “Schools are damaged in the camps because of water-logging and cracks in the building. I would like to appeal for tarpaulins, mosquito nets and pesticides, on an urgent basis.”