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Sudan Tribune

Plural news and views on Sudan

Armed robbers steal cash from nine stores in South Darfur capital

February 5, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – An armed group of robbers broke into nine market stores in the capital of South Darfur state of Nyala and seized large amounts of cash after sawing a hole in the roofs on Wednesday night.

Armored vehicles prevent demonstrators in Nyala, South Darfur from entering the government's headquarters on 20 January 2015 (ST)
Armored vehicles prevent demonstrators in Nyala, South Darfur from entering the government’s headquarters on 20 January 2015 (ST)
Hundreds of merchants gathered in Nyala to protest against repeated attacks on markets and expressed fears of a return to lawlessness after a period of relative stability witnessed in the city.

They questioned how the armed group managed to enter the market despite the night curfew imposed by the governor.

The deputy head of the state security committee Major General Adel Hamad al-Neel said that they managed to eradicate rebels in the state and will now focus on internal security but stressed that they will not be able to achieve100% security.

The head of the state’s chamber of commerce Moussa Abdel-Azim said in press statements that they held an emergency meeting with the local security committee to discuss precautions to prevent recurrence of this incident adding that they plan to install surveillance cameras in addition to strengthening police checkpoints.

One of the traders by the name Ahmed Abdullah al-Gooni told Sudan Tribune that the incident is the third of its kind since emergency rule was imposed in the state five months ago.

He noted that traders are contributing large sums of money to secure the market, but that the attacks on the market continued at an unprecedented rate.

He called for the formation of a commission of inquiry to determine the circumstances of the robbery and work on assessing the performance of security agencies in the state.

A security source told Sudan Tribune that preliminary data indicates that seasoned criminals were behind this robbery.

He added that the robbers used advanced cutters and took advantage of a security vacuum caused by tribal conflict in Buram and Gereida localities.

The state has witnessed a near total security breakdown over the last year with recurrent incidents of looting, banditry and murder including from pro-government militias.

Businessmen and commercial convoys in South Darfur are regularly attacked by armed gangs which demand ransom for their release.

Last July, governor Jar al-Nabi, declared an indefinite emergency situation in South Darfur state, including a curfew from 7pm to 7am (local time) in the capital Nyala.

The decision also banned riding of motorcycles by more than one person, holding weapons while wearing civilian clothes, vehicles driving around without license plates, and wearing a kadamool (a turban which covers the face).

It also prohibited tinted glasses on cars in Nyala even for government officials unless permission is being obtained from the traffic police. The decision further prevented firing of gunshots in social events in Nyala.

(ST)

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