Militiamen refuse to pay dues in North Kordofan

The citizens of El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, have complained of violations and abuses by government-backed militiamen, known as Janjaweed. In the last few days, they have reportedly killed a man and raped a woman. Listeners told Radio Dabanga that Janjaweed militias returned to the area from military operations in South Kordofan against rebel forces a few days ago. They are stationed south of El Obeid. A citizen of Hashaba village, south of El Obeid, reported that elements of this militia have killed one of the citizens of the village and raped his wife inside their home. A citizen from El Salahin neighbourhood in the southern part of the capital also reported that Janjaweed members did not pay after they shopped on the local market and ate at some of the restaurants on Monday. “They refused to pay the owners of the shops and restaurants, saying they do not have the money to pay them. And we should ‘go to the authorities because they have the money’,” the citizen quoted. A source of Radio Dabanga added that a group of Janjaweed militiamen went to the governor of South Kordofan, Ahmed Haroun, to demand money for their services and those of deceased militia members. They threatened to “attack El Obeid city” if the money was not paid. File photo: Janjaweed (Radio Dabanga) Related: Drunk militiaman randomly fires off gun in North Kordofan market (27 December 2013)