Militiamen kill two, steal livestock in North Darfur

Pro-government militiamen shot dead two people and wounded seven others at the entrance of a camp for displaced people in El Fasher locality, North Darfur, on Wednesday. A witness told Radio Dabanga that pro-government militia elements opened fire at a mini-bus while it was on its way to Abu Zerega in Dar El Salam locality, one kilometer south of El Fasher city. The incident took place at the entrance of camp Zamzam. Samira Abdel Rahman, a married mother, and Abdallah Bakhit (45), a father of five sons, from Um Betein village were killed. Seven others were injured and transported to a hospital in El Fasher for treatment. The Governor of North Darfur, Osman Kibir, has acknowledged the killing of the two people. A United Nations and European Union delegation, scheduled to visit Zamzam camp on Wednesday and Thursday to assess the situation in the camp, were advised by Kibir to cancel their visit owing to the insecurity. Militias steal livestockCitizens from Kutum locality, North Darfur, have reported that groups of pro-government militiamen, riding cars mounted with machine guns on top and others on the backs of camels, passed through their lands from Monday to Thursday. “They stole thousands of livestock from areas west of El Fasher city, including camels, cows, sheep, goats, and donkeys.” The citizens, especially the owners of orchards and gardens along Kutum Valley, have complained about these militias’ occupation of water sources under the force of arms. “The gunmen let their looted livestock drink, and then move in the direction of what they called ‘the liberated areas’ El Gubah, Kabkabiya, Mount Tarma and Amou.” File photo (archive Radio Dabanga) Related: Sudan’s authorities prevent UN-EU visit to North Darfur camp (11 April 2014) El Fasher-Kutum road closed in North Darfur (26 March 2014)