North Darfur market traders reject militia protection

11/11/2015 15:13

Traders in Kabkabiya, North Darfur, refuse to pay for militia protection of the town markets.
“The authorities of Kabkabiya locality decided that all market vendors are to pay a monthly SDG100 ($16) each to militia leader Mohamed Doda for guarding the markets,” an angry vendor reported.
“The traders demand the immediate repeal of the decision, as security is the responsibility of the state and the police, not of militias,” he told Radio Dabanga.

Traders in Kabkabiya, North Darfur, refuse to pay for militia protection of the town markets.

“The authorities of Kabkabiya locality decided that all market vendors are to pay a monthly SDG100 ($16) each to militia leader Mohamed Doda for guarding the markets,” an angry vendor reported.

“The traders demand the immediate repeal of the decision, as security is the responsibility of the state and the police, not of militias,” he told Radio Dabanga.

On Sunday, the locality's executive director, Ismail Rabih, held a meeting with the market vendors, with militia commander Mohamed Doda present. Rabih told the traders about the agreement to protect the markets. He added that each district of Kabkabiya will pay the monthly amount of SDG50 ($8) for securing the town.

The merchants announced their categorical rejection to pay the militia protection. They demand the federal and state authorities to “intervene, immediately repeal the decision and send police enforcements to Kabkabiya instead”.