Violent crimes on the rise in South Darfur capital

April 5, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Three people were killed on Thursday in South Darfur capital city of Nyala in separate incidents as armed attacks increased significantly over the last few months in various neighborhoods of the town.

In al-Tadamun neighborhood, a taxi driver was killed when masked gunmen opened fire on him while another group of people shot and killed a Raksha (3-wheeled motorcycle taxi) driver in Al-Riyadh neighborhood Wednesday morning and a third person was stabbed to death by unidentified men.

A number of Nyala residents have denounced the frequent incidents of killings and looting and as worshipers in al-Jamhooria neighborhood spoke of masked gunmen who robbed their money and mobile phones as they were leaving the mosque.

In the same context, an armed gang has kidnapped a man named Mubarak Abdel-Kareem who was on his way to deposit money at the bank. Abdel-Kareem, who was released later, was beaten and stabbed in his right thigh and was robbed of 120,000 Sudanese pounds (SDG).

Darfur has been a flashpoint for lawlessness and violence since rebel movements took up arms against the Khartoum government in 2003.

Earlier this week, the former Information Minister and current MP Abdullah Massar lashed out at the Sudanese government, security apparatuses and the army saying that all these institutions are currently in their weakest state at the federal and the states level.

The MP claimed that Darfur rebels could soon take over Nyala saying that the town is besieged while security inside it is lacking.

Last week a Sudanese paramilitary force attacked El-Geneina bus stop market in Nyala on mid-day robbing merchants and bystanders, according to eyewitnesses.

Late last month, 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.

(ST)