Sudan militia recruits block highway over pay delay

A contingent of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took control of the highway between the Sudanese capital of Khartoum and the city of Atbara in River Nile state, and have been stopping vehicles and plundering their contents.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that in the early hours of Saturday morning, a large number of armed militiamen were deployed in the Jili area on the main road between Atbara and Khartoum. They set up a roadblock and immediately began stopping vehicles. They took whatever goods the vehicles were carrying, as well as relieving the passengers of their belongings.

Later, another contingent of the same group closed off the entrance to the Khartoum refinery at Jili preventing anyone from entering or leaving the site.

The traffic was disrupted for several hours as the pillaging continued without any police or military force intervening.

In a statement today, a spokesman for the security forces acknowledged the incident, and blamed it on “irresponsible behaviour by new recruits”. The statement said that the men, who recently joined a training camp near Jili, were frustrated because their pay was delayed. He said that the security forces will convene a board of inquiry to investigate, and assured that all offenders will face a court martial.

A view of the roadblock Picture: Radio Dabanga

Passengers were detained Picture: Radio Dabanga

Passengers waiting to be alowed to proceed Picture: Radio Dabanga