South Darfur coordinating with other states in region to enhance security

September 12, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The government of Sudan’s South Darfur state has revealed it is cooperating with other states in Darfur on security matters to protect commercial convoys and secure common borders.

Darfur, which is divided into 5 states, suffers from an 11-year armed conflict between the government and rebel groups as well as escalating tribal fighting which became a major cause for insecurity in the restive region.

On July 15th, the governor of South Darfur state, Adam Mahmoud Jar al-Nabi, declared a one-month emergency order in the state, including a curfew from 7pm to 7am in Nyala.

Last month, the state security committee decided to renew the order indefinitely 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.

Jar Al-Nabi stressed that security situation is stable in all state’s localities including the IDP camps due to enormous efforts made by the security committee in cooperation with state residents.

He told the pro-government Sudan Media Center (SMC) website that state authorities have embarked on security measures to protect farmers and cattle herders and secure their passageways to prevent clashes between them.

The commissioner of al-Radoom locality, Mohamed Abdel-Rahman Gami’e, for his part, disclosed deployment of government troops in the state’s southern localities to enhance the security situation and control outlaws.

He called upon all state residents to adhere to government directives to maintain stability of the security situation.

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.

On Monday, 3 people were killed and 2 others injured in an attack by an unidentified armed group on al-Hamaraya area in al-Salam locality, 46 kilometers south of Nyala.

(ST)