Nuba call for disarmament of Sudan’s Popular Defence Forces militia

Residents of the eastern part of the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan have called on the state government to disarm the Popular Defence Forces deployed in the region.

Nuba activists pointed out to Radio Dabanga that the eastern localities of South Kordofan are marked by an absence of law enforcement forces.

The commercial and agricultural activities in the region are threatened by the proliferation of weapons, and the frequent occurrence of killings and robberies on the roads.

They appealed to the South Kordofan governor to dissolve the militias in the state, and to disarm the militiamen in the state.

The eastern part of South Kordofan witnessed a number of killings during the past months, the last of which was near Rashad on Saturday.

In November last year, the Sudanese human rights watchdog HUDO reported that elements of the Popular Defence Forces militia were wreaking havoc in Habila in South Kordofan while police and army troops remained silent. A month later, a farmer was shot dead in Rashad locality because he refused to hand his harvest to the militiamen.

Government militia

The Popular Defence Forces were established as an Islamist militia after Omar Al Bashir’s military coup in 1989.

Under international law, it is considered part of Sudan's military because it was created by statute. However, the militia was defined by the regime of Al Bashir as a semi-military force of Sudanese citizens. Its members receive training, uniforms, guns, ammunition, and food, but no salaries.

The Popular Defence Forces also operated as a reserve force for the Sudan Armed Forces. The militiamen were mainly mobilised from Darfur, to fight against rebels in present South Sudan. The militia is still operational, in Darfur, and, mainly, in South Kordofan. It also plays a major role in the distribution of weapons to, and military training for, tribal militias.

Radio Dabanga’s editorial independence means that we can continue to provide factual updates about political developments to Sudanese and international actors, educate people about how to avoid outbreaks of infectious diseases, and provide a window to the world for those in all corners of Sudan. Support Radio Dabanga for as little as €2.50, the equivalent of a cup of coffee.