Darfur ex-governor trades accusations with Sudan government

30/09/2010 15:57

The former governor of West Darfur and head of an ex-rebel Sudan Liberation Movement faction, Abu Al Gasim, continued an open dispute with the Government of Sudan. He accused the army of attacking his forces in the Mara area in Azoum Locality in western Darfur, killing 5 troops and forcing more than 300 families to flee from the area for fear of renewed fighting. This accusation was first made by a spokesman of the movement several days ago. The five members reportedly killed in the attack on Sunday were guarding farmers, the movement said.

The former governor of West Darfur and head of an ex-rebel Sudan Liberation Movement faction, Abu Al Gasim, continued an open dispute with the Government of Sudan. He accused the army of attacking his forces in the Mara area in Azoum Locality in western Darfur, killing 5 troops and forcing more than 300 families to flee from the area for fear of renewed fighting. This accusation was first made by a spokesman of the movement several days ago. The five members reportedly killed in the attack on Sunday were guarding farmers, the movement said.Abu Al Gasim also said that his forces in the area were not imposing levies on citizens. The army spokesman had confirmed the attack in Mara area but said that the target was an illegal checkpoint. Returning the accusation, Abu Al Gasim said in a statement to Radio Dabanga that the government has set up 100 collection points on the road between the cities of Nyala and Zalingei which bring in three million poinds per day.

The Al Gasim faction was formed after the mainstream Sudan Liberation Movement split and the Minawi faction signed the Darfur Peace Agreement. The faction signed the DPA in September 2006. As part of this deal, Abu Al Gasim was appointed as governor of West Darfur, a position he held until the April 2010 election.