Sheikhs arrested in Central Darfur as displaced reject ‘model village’

Two sheikhs of the Ronga Tas camp for the displaced in Azum locality, Central Darfur, were arrested by security forces on Monday, after the displaced began to fence the camp in protest to the building of a “model village”. Sheikh Yagoub Adam Mohamed and sheikh Musa Saleh Musa were arrested at the western gate of Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur. The gateway, called Jebel Aseeda, is located at the Zalingei-El Geneina road, the coordinator of the Central Darfur camps for the displaced reported to Radio Dabanga. The sheikhs were taken to the premises of the Zalingei security forces in the city. The coordinator condemned the apprehension of the sheikhs, and demanded their urgent release. He explained that the arrest led to a crisis amid the Ronga Tas camp population. “The displaced of the camp strongly reject the construction of a model village. They have begun to fence the camp with thorny bushes, and threaten to go to the streets in demonstrations.”’Security first’Earlier, on 24 October 2013, Radio Dabanga published the views of Darfuri camp residents about the plan to build new villages for the displaced, the so-called “model villages”. Qatar, which initiated peace negotiations between Sudan and a Darfur armed resistance movement resulting in the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in 2011, also established the Qatari Initiative for Development in Darfur. This initiative plans the construction of a large number of model villages in Darfur. The displaced, however, strongly reject the idea of model villages, pointing to the rampant insecurity in the region. “The problem is the protection of the displaced and the refugees while the Janjaweed militias have not yet been disarmed.” “Security is by far the main priority to achieve stability, not the creation of model villages,” the coordinator of the North Darfur camps for the displaced told Radio Dabanga. “Although the Abuja and Doha peace agreements include the establishment of model villages, the idea is pursued for personal gains only.” The Central Darfur camps coordinator agreed: “When the displaced are able to inhale the air of a safe life and feel that they are dignified human beings, only then planning and development can be started.” The coordinators also pointed to the problem of the new settlers in their villages. “People want to be able to return to their home places instead of model villages.” File photo: Darfuri sheikhs at a congress in El Fasher, North Darfur (Albert González Farran/Unamid) Related:Five Central Darfur camp sheikhs still detained (17 February 2014) More sheikhs arrested who reject West Darfur camp planning (14 February 2014) Sheikh arrested after West Darfur displaced eject ‘planning experts’ (5 February 2014) Displaced of Murnei camp in West Darfur arrested (17 January 2014)Darfur displaced question value of ‘model villages’ (24 October 2013)