Sudan soldier killed by Abbala militant in N Darfur camp

14/03/2013 23:25

A soldier of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) was shot dead by an Abbala militant at a market in a North Darfur camp on Wednesday due to a “dispute” between both parties.Eyewitnesses’ accounts suggested the soldier was killed “in front of everyone” by the tribesman who used a machine gun. The incident took place at the Fata Borno camp in Kutum locality.Following the event, a group of Abbala militants riding horses and camels arrived at the camp to back-up their comrade, witnesses told Radio Dabanga. The men fired gunshots in the air at random inciting “panic among residents, especially on women and children”.Sources said there were no casualties or loss of property among the displaced.  Abu Tira to guard camp In a separate development, a source in Kutum told Radio Dabanga that a locality’s security committee announced that Abu Tira (Central Reserve Forces) will be again guarding the Fata Borno camp.The committee – composed of a SAF commander, security services and the police- informed the decision to five leaders of the Fata Borno camp in a meeting in Kutum city on Thursday. The representatives of the displaced, led by the camp’s head sheikh, denounced the resolution.Due to abuses and violations carried out by the Abu Tira against the displaced in the past, such as looting, beating and raping, Fata Borno’s leaders want the army to remain at the camp.However, the security committee stated the decision was made by the North Darfur government and could not be contested. A source told Radio Dabanga a timeframe for the substitution was not given.The SAF, which is currently guarding the site, was appointed last year when the governor of North Darfur declared a state of emergency in the locality after outbreaks of violence. He ordered all law enforcement services to withdraw and the military assumed all of the security posts.Photo: North Darfur market (Albert González Farran/ UNAMID)See also: After 6 months police force to return to Kutum, North Darfur (12 March 2013)

A soldier of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) was shot dead by an Abbala militant at a market in a North Darfur camp on Wednesday due to a “dispute” between both parties.

Eyewitnesses’ accounts suggested the soldier was killed “in front of everyone” by the tribesman who used a machine gun. The incident took place at the Fata Borno camp in Kutum locality.

Following the event, a group of Abbala militants riding horses and camels arrived at the camp to back-up their comrade, witnesses told Radio Dabanga. The men fired gunshots in the air at random inciting “panic among residents, especially on women and children”.

Sources said there were no casualties or loss of property among the displaced.  

Abu Tira to guard camp

In a separate development, a source in Kutum told Radio Dabanga that a locality’s security committee announced that Abu Tira (Central Reserve Forces) will be again guarding the Fata Borno camp.

The committee – composed of a SAF commander, security services and the police- informed the decision to five leaders of the Fata Borno camp in a meeting in Kutum city on Thursday. The representatives of the displaced, led by the camp’s head sheikh, denounced the resolution.

Due to abuses and violations carried out by the Abu Tira against the displaced in the past, such as looting, beating and raping, Fata Borno’s leaders want the army to remain at the camp.

However, the security committee stated the decision was made by the North Darfur government and could not be contested. A source told Radio Dabanga a timeframe for the substitution was not given.

The SAF, which is currently guarding the site, was appointed last year when the governor of North Darfur declared a state of emergency in the locality after outbreaks of violence. He ordered all law enforcement services to withdraw and the military assumed all of the security posts.

Photo: North Darfur market (Albert González Farran/ UNAMID)

See also: After 6 months police force to return to Kutum, North Darfur (12 March 2013)