Enraged militia reportedly threatens South Darfur capital

October 9, 2007 (LONDON) — The Aegis Trust, a group focused on combating genocide around the world, warned today that the capital of south Darfur Nyala is under imminent threat of attack by a militia enraged by delay in payment of salaries.

“Nyala, Darfur’s largest city, is tonight under imminent threat of attack by Janjaweed militia, angry with the Sudanese Government for failure to pay them for their work. This has included systematic attacks on civilians, in addition to support for military operations against African rebel groups.”

Aegis said the heavily armed Janjaweed, equipped with gun-mounted jeeps and reported to be up to 800-strong, are from the ‘aballa’ or militia drawn from the Mahariya, a clan of the Rizeigat tribe. The group’s suspected leader, Juma Daglo, is locally understood to be responsible for large-scale human rights violations.

According to the rights group the Janjaweed force is massing near the village of Bulbul, halfway between Nyala and Kass, approximately an hour’s drive from either city, both of which are controlled by the Sudanese Government. Kass is home to a fluctuating population of 250,000 – 300,000 people, around 40% of whom are internally displaced Africans who have fled their homes following ethnic cleansing in the region.

Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, is home to a million people. Approximately 200,000 – 300,000 IDPs live in camps in its immediate vicinity, including Kalma, Al Salam, Otash and Deriege. Nyala is also the hub for all AU, UN and INGO operations in South Darfur, and the intended logistical HQ for UNAMID for the whole of Darfur.

“A major attack on Nyala could well result in the total collapse of all aid operations in South Darfur and the withdrawal of INGOs whose work is already heavily incapacitated by insecurity and Government restrictions,” says Dr James Smith, Chief Executive of the Aegis Trust. “This would leave the IDPs at Nyala, and throughout South Darfur, extremely vulnerable to starvation and to attack from Janjaweed and Government forces.”

The World Food Programme has sent the majority of its non-essential staff from Nyala back to Khartoum, as have other agencies, including UNMIS. The UNDP has withdrawn all its staff from Nyala.

(ST)