Emergency order extended indefinitely in South Darfur
August 16, 2014 (NYALA) – The government of South Darfur state on Sunday has indefinitely extended the emergency order which was applied last month.
On 15 July, the governor of South Darfur state, Adam Mahmoud Jar al-Nabi, declared a one-month state of emergency in South Darfur state, including a curfew from 7pm to 7am in the capital, Nyala.
The state security committee decided on Friday to renew indefinitely the state of emergency and called on civilians to hand over any weapons they have in their possession.
The decision also banned riding of motorcycles by more than one person, 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.
A special tribunal has been set up to investigate crimes, with residents supplied with phone numbers to contact authorities to report crimes and other violations of the emergency laws.
The security apparatus in South Darfur state stormed several IDP camps including al-Salam, Attash, and Diraig. Local authorities said the move comes within the framework of the emergency order in a bid to curb criminal activities carried out by armed gangs.
Darfur’s joint peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) had expressed concern over government raids, saying it will apply several measures to alleviate its impact on camps residents.
IDP CAMPS TARGETED
Sudan Tribune has learned that the security committee at Baleel locality on Saturday allowed 15 heavily armed government vehicles to enter Kalma camp for displaced persons, 4km south of Nyala airport despite the opposition of the camp residents.
A situation of fear and panic had dominated over the camp residents until the armed vehicles left without searching or arresting anybody.
In 2008, Kalma residents denied government forces entry to the camp, prompting the latter to use military force, which led to the death of 49 people.
The commissioner of Nyala locality, Abdel-Rahman Hussein Mohamed Gardoud, said that more than 10 offenders were arrested inside Al-Salam camp, as well as large quantities of illegal drugs, weapons and ammunition.
He stressed that security situation achieved stabilisation rate of 90% as a result of applying the emergency order, pointing they would continue to implement these security measures until the situation has been stabilised.
Gardoud pointed that 198 suspects were tried for violating the security order as well as confiscating large quantities of illegal drugs, weapons, and ammunition.
In the same context, the localities of Baleel and Kass, which are located near Nyala, also announced the implementation of the emergency order.
The commissioner of Kass said that more than 83 suspects were arrested for breaching the emergency order, stressing they will be brought to trial within the coming days.
South Darfur state has witnessed a near total security breakdown in recent months 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 month, unidentified gunmen killed the commissioner of Katila county in South Darfur, Abdallah Yassin, who was returning to his county from Nyala.
Robbers last month also stormed a mall in Nyala and stole a large sum of money before escaping in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
(ST)