South Darfur Governor imposes new measures following Nyala violence

The Governor of South Darfur has imposed strict security measures following inter-militia violence that erupted in the state capital Nyala on Tuesday afternoon, leaving six dead and 21 injured. At a press conference on Saturday, South Darfur governor, Major General Adam Mahmoud Jar Al Nabi confirmed the casualty toll, and announced that the 7:30pm to 7:00am curfew imposed last week has been extended. Several other prohibitions have also imposed in an effort return normalise the situation, especially in neighbourhoods in the north of Sudan’s second-largest city. The additional restrictions include a ban on non-military personnel from wearing military uniforms or garments that hide or mask their face. All armed units are prohibited from firing into the air, and the unmarked vehicles without registration plates favoured by militias must stay off the streets. The Governor also said that all exits to Nyala have been closed to prevent property that was looted from businesses and markets from leaving the city. Al Nabi underscored that it is his government’s intention to apprehend and charge all of those involved. They will implement inspections to recover looted property, have set-up a commission to investigate the events, and another committee to assess the losses, lamenting that the state is “still plagued by tribal and racial tensions”. Traders whose shops were looted or burned have issued a Memorandum of Protest to the Governor, demanding the provision of security at Majala market, as well as the formation of a committee to inventory losses and compensation for those affected, which they estimate to be SDG6 million ($700,000). Deputy Governor Abdulrahim Omar Hassan acknowledged that security was deficient, but stressed “the state will carry full responsibility toward the effected traders”. The traders also demand that the market be exempt from collecting fees for two years. Related:UN coordinator condemns NGO workers’ deaths in Nyala, South Darfur (7 July 2013) South Darfur imposes curfew in Nyala after militias clash (5 July 2013) Nyala locked-down after fighting, looting in South Darfur capital (4 July 2013)