Gunmen kill paramilitary coordinator in South Darfur
July 12, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Unidentified gunmen killed the coordinator of the Popular Defence Forces (PDF) in one of South Darfur counties on Saturday while he was heading to Nyala from the neighbouring East Darfur state.
Eyewitness told Sudan Tribune that two people were wounded during the heavy exchange of fire between the two sides, adding the gunmen succeeded however to capture three Land Cruisers loaded with weapons and ammunition.
The commissioner of Telass county Hamad al-Hussein confirmed the death of the paramilitary coordinator and told porters that the defunct was returning from Khartoum.
After the tribal clashes of last year, Darfur now is the scene of attacks by militiamen, armed banditry and criminal activities which are a major source of instability during the recent months.
The head of Darfur joint peacekeeping mission last Wednesday 9 July told the Peace and Security Council of the African Union that “the proliferation of militia groups and attendant criminality and banditry” continues to be a source of concern.
“More needs to be done therefore to disarm these militias as part of the broader and concerted efforts towards the achievement of comprehensive peace in Darfur,” further said Mohamed Ibn Chambas according to a statement released on Saturday 12 July.
LAND CRUISERS TO BE BANNED IN SOUTH DARFUR
The governor of South Darfur state, Adam Mahmoud Jar Al-Nabi on Friday disclosed intension of the presidency to issue a decree banning use of the four-wheel drive vehicle “Land Cruiser”.
Jar Alnabi, who addressed worshippers following Friday prayer in Al-Geer neighbourhood mosque in South Darfur capital, Nyala, said the Land Cruiser vehicles which are currently running over his state had been looted from Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR), noting they don’t carry plate licenses and were being used by liquor and drug dealers.
He further noted his government classifies the Land Cruiser vehicle as “weapon”, saying owners of these vehicles are “arrogant” and ready to assault other people.
He also defended the continued imposition of the state of emergency in South Darfur, noting that all Darfur states apply the same law which allows arrest of individuals for the longest possible time as long as it maintains security and safety of other people.
Last September, Jar Al-Nabi declared an indefinite emergency situation in South Darfur state including a curfew from 5 pm to 6 am in the capital Nyala.
Jar Al-Nabi renewed adherence to previous decisions he made to maintain security in the state including banning motorcycles after 7:00 pm, banning of vehicles driving around without license plates, and banning wearing Kadamool [turban which covers the face].
Armed gangs, regularly carry out attacks on businessmen and commercial convoys in South Darfur which known by the criminal activities of these bandits.
Last week, unidentified gunmen killed the commissioner of Katila county in South Darfur, Abdallah Yassin, who was returning to his county from the state capital Nyala.
Robbers last week also stormed a mall in Nyala and stole a large sum of money before escaping on a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
(ST)