South Darfur elders demand release of detained teachers

People in Gireida in South Darfur demand the release of the school teachers who were detained last week. They have been accused of organising a demonstration against militia attacks on a number of villages in the locality.

Militant herders driving Land Cruisers and others riding camels and horses attacked a number of villages in Joghana area on Tuesday and Wednesday. More than four people were killed, including the native administrator of Gireida, Omda Ahmed Mohamed Abdallah.

On Thursday, a number of residents of Gireida took to the streets in protest against the attacks. Police and security forces dispersed them with live ammunition, tear gas, and batons.

Security agents reportedly “launched a manhunt” in the neighbourhoods and camps for the displaced, in search of the organisers of the demonstration. At least 10 people were held. Four of them were transferred to a detention centre in the South Darfur capital of Nyala on Friday.

On Sunday, community elders and activists in Gireida appealed to the South Darfur governor and the locality commissioner to arrange their release or to take them to a fair trial.

An activist told Radio Dabanga that the detainees are all teachers. “They are desperately needed in the locality.”

The South Darfur faction of the opposition Sudanese Congress Party issued a statement on Thursday, calling for “the release of the more than ten detainees in Gireida”.