Ex-security officer, ‘Arab Spring’ founder ambushed in Darfur -source

A former security services officer who defected three weeks ago and formed a movement called “Arab Spring” was ambushed by his ex-colleagues in East Darfur. Four people were killed in the attack on Thursday, but it is not clear whether the dissident is one of the dead. Mohamed Ibrahim, known as Hamudi, had been working in the Sudanese security services for 20 years. In his latest placement, Hamudi was responsible for securing East Darfur’s oilfield of Surga Ummhadit, which was inaugurated last December in Adila locality. The dissident, however, was unhappy with the policy of oilfield administrators towards local citizens regarding employment conditions and salaries, said a source from the local tribe of Maaliya. Hamudi comes from the same tribe.In February, Radio Dabanga reported that security services had arrested three civilians who were demanding compensation for damages caused by the establishment of the oilfield in their home area. It was later indicated that residents would receive a compensation for damages.As a result of the “injustices” against local citizens, the former officer defected from the security services and left to Keleika Abu Salama, in the Yassin locality of East Darfur. He reportedly used his official vehicle to escape and took with him seven workers from the oilfield.In the meantime, Hamudi announced he had formed a new movement called “Arab Spring” and disclosed that many “fighters” had joined him.For his part, the Nazir (top administrator) of the Maaliya tribes, Mohamed Ahmed Al Safi, had recently been asked by the Sudanese security services to contact Hamudi and his supporters and convince them to return to Adila, the tribal source disclosed.Abdel Hamid Musa Kasha, the newly appointed East Darfur governor, granted the nazir permission to start negotiations with Hamudi. The dissident agreed to meet with a tribal negotiating team in El Garadai on Thursday. The town is located seven kilometers southwest of Adila city.Nazir Al Safi sent two omdas, Nouredin Suleiman and Ibrahim Asbeh, to meet Hamudi’s delegation on his behalf.However, upon arriving in El Garadai for the gathering, both omdas were “surprised” to see that security services’ cars carrying seven officers ambushed Hamudi’s vehicle as it arrived at the meeting point, the source said.The seven officers “immediately opened fire on Hamudi’s car” killing three people on the spot. A member of the security services was also reportedly killed in a fire exchange. The source was not able to confirm whether Hamudi was one of the fatal victims.File photoRelated: E. Darfur residents to receive compensation for oil exploration (28 February 2013)