South Darfur residents blame militias for ongoing violence in the state capital

Residents of Nyala, capital of South Darfur, continue to complain about the poor security conditions inside the city blaming pro-government militias. Traders also continue to be targeted.Speaking to Radio Dabanga on Wednesday, a citizen said that most incidents occur after sunset in the peripheral areas and other districts of the capital, “although many incidents also occur during the day”. Many pedestrians are robbed and militiamen mostly steal mobile phones and money, he added.A trader working at Nyala’s largest market told Radio Dabanga that robberies have become “a major threat to the lives and property of citizens”. He recounted how Mohamed Adam Al Faqiy, a merchant at the Nyala main market, was assaulted by militiamen this week with a machete.Faqiy, who is also known as Wat Al Sheikh, sells second hand clothing at the market’s Khor department. Following the attack, he sustained a hand injury and was rushed to hospital where doctors performed emergency surgery.Nyala traders reiterated their complaints about insecurity in the city and stressed they are suffering due to the situation as they cannot sell their goods without being robbed by militiamen.A series of kidnappings and robberies against businessmen in Nyala which began earlier this year has forced many of them to leave the town and resettle their businesses in Khartoum. A few months ago members of South Darfur’s Chamber of Commerce petitioned the former state governor that traders be armed and have bodyguards due to the “terrifying” situation.It is said that Hammad Ismail Hammad was “dismissed” by President Omar Al Bashir “for failing to provide security” in April. His successor is retired General Adam Mahmoud Jar Al Nabi.New lawsIn light of the insecurity in the capital, the commissioner of Nyala locality Ahmed Jahadin Khemis announced that he will implement new laws designed to curb the situation.Firstly, he will not allow anyone to wear the Ketmul (a head shawl) inside the locality, at markets or public places. The face-covering shawl, he said, helps criminals to conceal their identity and prohibiting its use could contribute to the prevention of crime.Those who do not respect the decision will be punished: they will be obliged to either pay a fine of SDG 2,000 ($453) or face imprisonment for two months.He will also prevent any vehicles from entering or passing through the locality that do not have visible license plates, whether they are civilians or officials. The only two exceptions to this rule are Sudanese armed forces and Unamid.The third law that he announced is that people will no longer be allowed to smoke water pipes indoors at the markets or at public places. Offenders will be fined SDG 1,000 ($226) or two months’ imprisonment. Their water pipes will also be confiscated.File photo by Albert González Farran/UNAMIDRelated: S Darfur traders moving to Sudan capital amid poor security (20 March 2013)