Sudanese security storms IDP camp in South Darfur
August 5, 2014 (NAYALA) – A joint force from the security apparatus in South Darfur state on Tuesday morning has stormed Al-Salam camp for displaced persons, 15 km south east of the state’s capital Nyala in search for fugitive offenders.
Local authorities said the move comes within the framework of the emergency order imposed last month, in a bid to curb criminal activities carried out by armed gangs.
The commissioner of Nyala locality, Abdel-Rahman Hussein Mohamed Gardoud, said that more than 10 offenders were arrested inside the camp as well as large quantities of illegal drugs, weapons, and ammunition.
Gardoud announced they would issue general search warrants for neighbourhoods and dens of crime whenever information about hotbeds of crime is available.
One of Al-Salam camp Shiekhs [traditional chiefs], who preferred to stay anonymous, criticised the storming of the camp, describing the move as “inhumane”.
He further pointed that Al-Salam camp doesn’t fall under the jurisdiction of Nyala locality and therefore is not subject to the emergency order.
The same Shiekh said the camp is located at the border of Baleel locality, noting that those who were arrested are innocent and have nothing to do with events which take place in Nyala.
“The move was intended to clamp down on the displaced persons,” he added.
On 15 July, the governor of South Darfur state, Adam Mahmoud Jar al-Nabi, declared an indefinite emergency situation in South Darfur state, including a curfew from 7pm to 7am in Nyala.
The decision also banned riding of motorcycles by more than one person, holding weapons while wearing civilian clothes, vehicles driving around without licence plates, and wearing a kadamool (turban which covers the face).
It also prohibited tinted glasses on cars in Nyala even for government officials unless permission is being obtained from the traffic police. The decision further prevented firing of gunshots in social events in Nyala.
A special tribunal has been set up to investigate crimes, with residents supplied with phone numbers to contact authorities to report crimes and other violations of the emergency laws.
(ST)