Sudan paramilitary force go on a looting spree Nyala market
March 30, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – A Sudanese paramilitary force attacked El-Geneina bus stop market in Nyala, capital of south Darfur on mid-day Saturday robbing merchants and bystanders, according to eyewitnesses.
However, yesterday dozens of gunmen broke into the market robbing money and belongings of people at gunpoint. The merchants moved swiftly to notify police which had prevented further lootings, Harri said.
Multiple government sources, who preferred to stay anonymous, said that a paramilitary government force which was recently mobilized but has been without food is responsible for the looting.
The sources stressed that police and security forces managed to bring the situation in the market under control though it remained for the entire day.
Darfur has been a flashpoint for lawlessness and violence since rebel movements took up arms against the Khartoum government in 2003.
Earlier this week, a cargo train which was on its way from Nyala, capital of South Darfur state to the city of Daein in eastern Darfur has been attacked by unidentified armed robbers near Khor Taan area which is located 60 km east of Nyala.
The United Nations estimates as many as 300,000 people have been killed and almost 3 million people have been displaced during the ongoing conflict in the region, however, the Sudanese government put the number of dead at only 10,000.
While violence is down from its peak in 2003 and 2004, new fighting has forced more than 130,000 people to flee their homes since the start of the year, according to the United Nations.
(ST)