Vegetable gardens of Darfur displaced destroyed by herders

Herders “armed by the government” invaded and destroyed vegetable gardens belonging to displaced living in a West Darfur camp on Tuesday. Bir Dageeg’s residents in Sirba locality said herders and their livestock caused “severe damage” to the gardens, despite their attempts to talk to the perpetrators.   Herders also beat the citizen Bashir Matar, brother of Mohamed Matar, who is the native administrator omda of Bir Dageeg. The victim is receiving treatment at a hospital. Sources told Radio Dabanga that the police was informed about the events but they claimed being “unable to do anything against militias”. Displaced appealed to local authorities and to the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) to protect them against militias and stop their attacks on vegetable gardens. Armenkol The same sources noted that pro-government militias stormed the Armenkol camp in Sirba locality on Tuesday. They looted two horses and attacked the site’s market while firing gunshots in the air. As a result, the market was closed and traders fled. The police intervened and captured one militiaman after a fire exchange.   Witnesses complained about the deteriorating security situation in the area.File photo (Albert González Farran/ UNAMID)See also: ‘Over 300 farms’ destroyed by herders near Darfur camp (29 March 2013)