Darfur religious group denies connections to ISIS
April 9, 2016 (EL-FASHER) – A religious group that has arrived in Darfur from Senar state last month has denied connections to the Islamic State organization (ISIS).
The leader of the group Hassan Bahar al-Din denied that they have any connections with the Jihadist groups.
Earlier this month, the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-MM) led by Minni Minnawi said that 700 “Islamic terrorists” have arrived in the northern part of Darfur from Mali and Libya, noting the Sudanese government is making arrangements to transfer them to Jebel Marra area for training.
Bahar al-Din told Sudan Tribune Saturday from his residence in Ghareer area, 225 kilometres north west of North Darfur capital, El-Fasher that their group belongs to the Tijaniyya Sufi order, saying all their followers are Sudanese citizens.
In an interview with a Sudan Tribune reporter who managed to reach the group after a series of news reports about their alleged links with Daesh militants , the religious leader said that all his followers carry Sudanese national identity cards, pointing that there are no foreigners among his group as some claimed.
Local leader in Al-Malha area in North Darfur Ali Osman Gami’ had earlier told Sudan Tribune that the authorities has deported a group of people from the area following protests by the residents, noting this group sought to establish Khalawa (religious schools) in the area.
Bahar al-Din added that he resided in Sennar state since 1996, saying he moved to Darfur following disagreements among the leaders of the Tij?niyya Sufi order.
Biraima Issa, a follower of the Tijaniyya Sufi order from Adila area in East Darfur state told Sudan Tribune that they came to Darfur due to differences between two groups.
He added that their families arrived in Al-Malha after they received permission from the authorities and the traditional administration but the residents denied their stay in the area.
Issa pointed that the authorities asked them to leave the area within a month, saying they moved to Ghareer area north of Kutum.
He stressed that his group includes 540 people who belong to the Tijaniyya Sufi order.
Last January, Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) said it would deploy troops to the western borders with Libya to prevent infiltration of the ISIS fighters.
A report to the United Nations Security Council released last November mentioned that the ISIS militants are building a, alternative base in Libya, pointing that several leading members of the Jihadist group moved to the north African country.
(ST)