Two policemen die in South Darfur farm violence

Two policemen have died in pursuit of herders after a shooting on the farms of Zuroug village, five kilometres west of Gireida in South Darfur on Saturday.

Farmers told Radio Dabanga that the incident occurred after seven armed herders allegedly trespassed with their livestock on the farms. When the farmers tried to drive the livestock off, the herders opened fire on them, wounding farmer Ahmed Goaja.

The farmers fled to the police station to report the incident and seek protection.

They explained that two police vehicles and another belonging to the army went to the scene, but the herders opened fire on the police, destroying a police vehicle and killing First Lieutenant Mahjoub Abulgasim and policeman Anwar Feisal.

They said that the police force then arrested three of the herders and seized their camels.

Mukjar

An attack by herders on Kombo Kerufta north of Mukjar in Central Darfur caused injuries to at least three farmers on Saturday.

Farmers told Radio Dabanga that a group of paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) herding camels fired into the air for intimidation and then forcibly trespassed the farms with their camels.

They said the farmers tried to get the camels out of their farms, but the herders beat them, injuring Ahmed Ismail, Mohamed Yousef, Adam Nahid, and others.

The farmers called on the locality security committee to take immediate action to protect the agricultural season, stop abuses by pastoralists and bring the aggressors to trial.

Deribat

Commercial truck drivers have refused to enter Deribat area in East Jebel Marra unless the authorities drastically handle Deribat incidents and compensate the victims for the losses they suffered as a result of the plunder carried out by members of the RSF on Deribat market on Sunday.

Twenty-five truckloads of goods are still parked at Kator area, 12 of which come from Nyala and 13 others from El Fasher. The drivers say they are awaiting justice before reaching Deribat market.

They have called on the locality investigation committee, headed by the commissioner of east Jebel Marra to reach Deribat, conduct investigations and compensate those affected.