West Darfur farmers complain of land seizures in Sirba

The citizens of Sirba locality in West Darfur have complained that new settlers have seized their agricultural lands and are preparing to cultivate them. Locals told Radio Dabanga that they refuse to give up their lands, and that they consider its seizure by the new settlers to be an infringement on their rights. They accused government agencies of “supporting the new settlers without a legitimate right”. The seized lands are located in the east of Sirba including areas of Kourki, Tenjeki and Gozbanat, the areas of north-west Sirba including Donta, Goz Siggait and Drankola, and some areas in Jidad administrative units including Ras Jamal, Aish Barra, Hai Jadeed and Heijaji Iieda. A Sirba farmer reported to Radio Dabanga that the seized agricultural lands were now officially considered “grazing and agricultural paths”. He denied that any lands were previously classified for these purposes. File photo