Sudan militia attack displaced camp in West Darfur
December 7, 2008 (NYALA) — Militiamen attacked a camp of displaced in a remote area of Darfur near the border with Chad, a displaced persons’ spokesperson said today, adding that four were seriously injured.
The attack came as a result of the deployment of Sudanese army soldiers and militiamen in the areas near the border where the government expects the presence of troops of the Justice and Equality Movement that Khartoum suspects of planning to attack new positions.
Hussein Abu Sharati, the spokesperson of Darfur IDPs and refugees, told Sudan Tribune today that Janjaweed attacked and burnt today the market of Makjar camp in West Darfur state not far from the border with Chad.
He further said that 18 people were injured following the assault, among them four were seriously wounded. He provided Sudan Tribune with their names.
The Sudanese government has pledged to observe a unilateral ceasefire in Darfur but said this would not prevent its troops from deterring rebel attacks. Yesterday Khartoum admitted to deploying troops in southern Kordofan.
UNAMID DENIES HASSA HISSA KILLING
Militiamen killed Musa Abakr Posh, one of local chiefs of Hassa Hissa camp, and wounded another resident of the camp on Saturday, his son Fadil told Sudan Tribune yesterday.
However, the UNAMID today reported in its daily briefing that the Sheikh of the IDPs in the camp said that the two IDPs were alive and had fled to Conjomia, 17 km west of Zalingei after they heard that militiamen intended to attack Hassa Hissa IDP camp.
But Hussein Abu Sharati today reaffirmed to Sudan Tribune that Musa Abakr Posh was killed by the Janjaweed.
Last Monday a militiaman died at Zalingei Hospital after a dispute with some residents of Hassa Hissa camp. The UNAMID said he had tried to take a water pump, whereas the IDPs’ spokesperson said the militiaman tried to rape a woman.
Since 2003, according to the UN experts, Darfur crisis killed over 300000 people and displaced around 2.7 million.
(ST)