Investigation underway into burning of commercial market by army personnel in East Darfur

September 19, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – A ministerial committee from East Darfur has arrived in Beer Yassin area, 60km west of the state’s capital, El-Daein to investigate the burning of the commercial market by army personnel in protest against the killing of a military serviceman.

Angry members of the Sudanese army garrison in Beer Yassin on Wednesday night have demonstrated against the killing of their comrade by an unknown gunman at a TV watching club prompting closure of commercial shops in the market.

The MP, Abdel-Jabar Abdalla Hassab Allah, said the investigation committee arrived in the area from El- Daein on Thursday evening, stressing that it embarked on investigations to reveal the circumstances of the incident and identify those who are involved besides determining the extent of the losses.

He underscored that decisions regarding punishments and retributions will be based on the committee’s report.

Hassab Allah told Sudan Tribune that authorities managed to arrest the killer, stressing that he is a soldier in the Sudanese army not a resident of the area.

The MP further said that preliminary estimates of the incident included the burning of 11 shops, two TV watching clubs, five electricity generators, two restaurants, 11 kiosks, a bakery and a photography studio besides several other displaying wood pallets.

Efforts made by the investigation committee and MPs besides the commissioner succeeded to calm the situation and ease tensions among soldiers and area residents.

East Darfur state suffers from renewed clashes between Rezeigat and Ma’alia tribes besides clashes between Hamar and Ma’alia. Tribal fighting in the area is usually triggered by disputes over land ownership.

(ST)