Hemetti accuses signatory group of taking part in Darfur tribal violence
July 29, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – The Deputy Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemetti” Friday accused the Tamazuj group, of involvement in the tribal violence in the Darfur region.
The controversial group is one of the signatories of the Juba agreement for peace in Sudan even if they did not take part in the talks. It gathers armed groups from the tribes on the border area between South Sudan and Sudan, but they were not known as a rebel movement.
During a radio talk show the official Radio Omdurman from the capital of West Darfur state, Hemetti pointed an accusing finger at Tamazuj. He said they gave weapons to their elements and ordered them to participate in the inter-communal fighting.
“Tamazuj is involved in the recent conflict in West Darfur. We arrested all of their offices, and we found in their possessions, military signs and recruitment lists. All of them were transferred to Port Sudan prison,” he said.
The deputy head of the ruling Sovereign Council called for an urgent investigation to find out the parties involved in arming the group, which former rebel groups claim it gathers militiamen formed by the Sudanese army.
Hemetti said that this group has weapons only used by the Sudanese army.
During the past months, Tamazuj was accused of attacks and looting in Khartoum state, but the government moved the group to the Darfur region earlier this year.
The deputy head of the Sovereign Council who is also the commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been in Darfur for more than a month to personally oversight the security operations to end the tribal violence.
The RSF troops are accused of feeding violence in the region where the Arab tribes are often in conflict with the indigenous groups. Also, his fighters are accused of participating in the clashes alongside these Arab groups.
He said the Rapid Support Forces are accused of taking part in the tribal attacks, adding they filed about 3,000 complaints of impersonation and fraud against people claiming to be affiliated with the RSF after their arrest for criminal activities.
“We are targeted – following the change – by parties seeking to dismantle the Rapid Support Forces, even though these forces encompass about 102 tribes representing all the Sudanese tribes,” he said.
He went on to say that law enforcement authorities have failed to enforce the rule of law in Khartoum, where anti-coup protests have continued for nine months now.
“The chaos must be ended. If we are unable, we must leave room for others who are able to do so,” he stressed.
The Central Reserve Police and security apparatus elements brutally disperse anti-coup protesters. Medical groups regularly report the use of tear gas, stun grenades and live ammunition as over 116 were killed and thousands injured.
(ST)