Darfur lawyers condemn violence against activists in Kutum

The Darfur Bar Association (DBA) has condemned the “liquidation of local leaders” in Kutum, North Darfur. In a statement issued on Friday, the associated Darfuri lawyers strongly denounced what it called “the barbaric liquidation of local leaders, and activists in and around Kutum town by pro-government militias”. “The most recent incident was the assassination and beheading of secondary school teacher Salah Ahmed Adam last week.” The DBA holds the ruling National Congress Party accountable for the widespread crimes committed against citizens, and the “overall chaos” in Kutum locality. “The area in and around Kutum town is extremely insecure, because of the presence of large numbers of government-backed militiamen repeatedly and systematically attacking citizens.” “These crimes and organised attacks evolved from intimidation and pillaging to armed robberies on the roads leading to and from Kutum, the forced payment of passage fees at militia toll gates, and the assassination of local leaders and activists in the locality,” the statement said. File photo: Janjaweed on horseback in Darfur (HRW) Related: Basic school teachers join strike in Kutum, North Darfur (3 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)