Stalls close as militiamen storm Central Darfur market

Shoppers scattered and store owners shut their stalls as “hundreds” of militiamen reportedly entered the Grand Market of Zalingei in Central Darfur on Tuesday.

The market was shut-down after the men, in Land Cruisers and on motorcycles, occupied the market and sparked panic among the shoppers and venders.

Witnesses said the militants then took to the road outside Zalingei and pass Marian market south of camp Hamidiya, where they pillaged a number of shops, and robbed several women of goods and commodities.

El Shafie Abdullah, the Coordinator of Central Darfur camps, said that the armed group then left Zalingei via Tamor gate. There, the robbed three displaced people of their motorcycles and mobile phones.