Displaced in North Darfur’s Kutum to pay ‘protection fees’

Militiamen in Kutum locality, North Darfur, are imposing ‘protection fees’ on displaced farmers. “Militiamen told us last week that each displaced family has to pay SDG 10 ($1.75) and three bowls of sorghum for the so-called protection of their farmlands,” a sheikh of the Fata Borno camp for the displaced reported to Radio Dabanga. He explained that the militiamen have taken position at the police station of Fata Borno, since the police withdrew from the locality almost three years ago. “We are continuously harassed and assaulted by those Janjaweed. We need protection against them, not by them, as they are the ones who rob our money, mobile telephones, and other belongings. We went to the security service in the locality to file a complaint, but they rejected the case, under the pretext that those robbing the displaced are outlaws, who have nothing to do with police.” An activist from Fata Borno camp described the security situation in Fata Borno as “extremely bad”. “The government-backed militias sustain full control over the area, while police and Unamid are entirely absent. The displaced do not dare to go to Kutum town for shopping, or work, as they fear being assaulted and robbed.” He demanded from Unamid to re-deploy its forces in Kutum locality for the protection of the displaced.   File photo Related: Darfur lawyers condemn violence against activists in Kutum (7 September 2014) Teachers strike against insecurity in North Darfur’s Kutum (1 September 2014) ‘Unprecedented’ crime with no police in North Darfur’s Kutum (17 August 2014) Military police tortures citizens in Kutum, North Darfur (11 July 2014) North Darfur’s Kutum controlled by militias (15 May 2014) Three men abducted, militiamen have ‘new weapons’ in North Darfur (20 May 2014)