Farmers in Kutum, North Darfur, demand protection

Farmers in the area of Fata Borno, in Kutum locality, North Darfur, whose crops were destroyed by livestock released on their lands last week, demand protection and justice.

In a petition submitted to the commanders of the Kutum military garrison and the paramilitary Border Guards in the locality on Monday, the farmers call for the formation of an inventory committee to assess their losses and arrange for compensation.

“We also demand a military force to protect our farmlands and orchards,” one of the farmers told Radio Dabanga. “Furthermore, the owners of the cattle and camels which destroyed our crops should be brought to justice.”

The farmers in the area of Naro, Abu Shouk, and Rotaba, in the western part of Kutum, lost most of their crops, when herders released their camels and cattle on their farmlands, orchards and vegetable gardens last week.

Large quantities of melons, tomatoes, radishes, okra, cress, and onions, as well as mangos, oranges, lemons, and grapefruit were destroyed, an affected farmer reported to Radio Dabanga on Friday. The losses are estimated at tens of thousands of pounds.

Police forces

After an absence of the police and the judiciary in Kutum for more than three years, the North Darfur authorities decided last week to send a force of 500 policemen to the locality, to restore law and order.

Three prosecutors and two judges will accompany the police force that will include 250 security police officers.