South Darfur parliament endorses Community Security Bill

In an emergency session last week the South Darfur state parliament endorsed the Community Security Bill, which bans the use of four-wheel drive vehicles and motorcycles inside the state. The new law also reinstates the prohibition of masks and a kadamool (turban veil). Violators will be fined or sentenced to prison with a maximum of two years. Legal owners of four-wheel drive vehicles are granted a period of six months to rid themselves of the vehicles, owners of motorcycles three months. The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and police in South Darfur state are to collect the banned vehicles. The owners will be compensated. SAF troops and employees of state government units are excluded by the bill, as well as traffic police officers who use motorcycles. On 15 July, the governor of South Darfur state announced the State of Emergency in Nyala locality, in an attempt to curb the rampant insecurity in the state. The strict security measures included a curfew from 7 pm to 7 am, a ban on the carrying of weapons by civilians, the wearing of masks, tinted glasses in cars, and vehicles driving without license plates. Districts in the capital Nyala were searched on contraband, as well as a number of camps for the displaced located near the capital. File photo: Militiamen in Darfur Related:State of Emergency declared in North Darfur (6 October 2014) South Darfur cuts salaries for security measures (8 August 2014) Strict security measures in South Darfur capital (28 July 2014)