Protests erupt in Nyala after man gunned down in market by RSF militia

January 19, 2015 (NYALA) – One person was shot dead on Monday in the popular market of Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, following an altercation that took place between the victim and one of the members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

According to witnesses who spoke to Sudan Tribune, the two men had been engaged in a heated argument for unknown reasons after which the RSF soldier tried to hit the victim named Ahmed Mohamed Daoud using a whip which prompted the victim to take out a knife.

But before he could use it, another RSF member at the scene quickly fired gunshots at Daoud, killing him instantly.

The incident triggered panic and disarray among ordinary citizens who were present

Hundreds of people took to the streets to demonstrate after evening prayers and marched towards the headquarters of South Darfur governor to protest the killing.

But police forces confronted the protesters and shut down Mecca bridge leading to the house of the governor, and fired shots in the air and tear gas forcing protesters to retreat.

Authorities sent large military reinforcements to the center of Nyala, in anticipation of further riots.

The state governor Major General Adam Mahmoud Garalnabi announced in press statements the arrest of the RSF soldier adding that he will be prosecuted.

He underscored that there is no justification for the protests and said that the law will take its course and that justice will determine the guilt or innocence of the parties involved.

The RSF militia, which is widely known as the Janjaweed militias, were originally mobilized by the Sudanese government to quell the insurgency that broke out in Sudan’s western region of Darfur in 2003.

The militia was reactivated and restructured again in August 2013 under the command of NISS to fight rebel groups in Darfur region, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states following joint attacks by Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) rebels in North and South Kordofan in April 2013.

Sudanese authorities arrested leaders of two opposition parties last year after accusing the RSF of committing serious abuses in conflict zones.

But Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir rejected criticism of RSF saying they are performing heroic tasks against insurgents and dismissed allegations of misconduct.

(ST)