Tension rises over ‘arrival’ Rapid Support Forces in Kass, South Darfur

Kass locality in South Darfur is witnessing tension between citizens and local Border Guards, due to the placement of tents “for the Rapid Support Forces” in large tracts of villages and farms near Kass town. A number of the citizens of the region told Radio Dabanga that the commander of the Border Guards, Maj. Mohamed Saleh Younis, has set up tents in Lauri Fifil, Terkenj, Dwair, and Gummayzat El Lalobh areas, north of Kass, during the past few days. “When people asked him to remove the tents, he threatened to beat and kill them”, the listeners told. When the commander of Kass’ army garrison intervened and asked Maj. Younis to remove the tents and leave, Younis refused. He told the commander “he doesn’t receive instructions from him”. The setting up of tents was permitted by Khartoum, he said, to receive the Rapid Support Forces, according to the citizens. Other sources said “these tents are for receiving the new settlers who have not yet been identified”. The Rapid Support Forces are locally known as Janjaweed who have been expelled from El Obeid in North Kordofan mid February. The Commander of the Rapid Support Forces stated they are in Darfur to fight the armed opposition movements on Tuesday. The citizens have expressed their concern of being subjected to attacks and abuses by the forces of the government security apparatus. They are also concerned about losing their villages and lands in Kass. File photo: Citizens of South Darfur, Sudan (Albert González Farran / Unamid) Related: Fear among South Darfur displaced as Rapid Support Forces arrive (24 February 2014)