Darfur herders still hold convoy hostage

A commercial convoy en route from the South Darfur capital of Nyala to the North Darfur capital of El Fasher has now been held by armed herders near Deribat in East Jebel Marra for three days.

On Wednesday witnesses told Radio Dabanga that armed herders blocked the road and stationed on the outskirts of Deribat on the pretext of searching for stolen cows.

One of the farmers told Radio Dabanga that armed herders held three vehicles on their way from Deribat to El Fasher and seized the keys from the drivers.

He described the situation as tense, and that no force from El Fasher or Nyala has moved to the open road.

On Wednesday people from Mershing confirmed to Radio Dabanga that Deribat road leading to Nyala is still closed by armed herders.

A resident of Mershing reported that a large number of lorries travelling from Nyala, Manwashi, and Dumma on their way to Deribat could not move as a result of the spread of armed herders since Saturday.

He stressed that the situation has remained tense around Deribat villages, Kator and Leedy.