Series of kidnappings and lootings against businessmen in South Darfur are causing many of them to leave the state and resettle their dealings in the Sudanese capital. It is said that at least seven prominent traders have departed South Darfur in a period of six months.<\/p>\n
Members of South Darfur\u2019s Chamber of Commerce met with Governor Hamd Ismail on Tuesday and traders demanded to be armed and to have bodyguards due to the \u201cterrifying\u201d situation. The head of Nyala\u2019s Chamber of Commerce Moussa Abdel-Azim said the governor promised to discuss their proposed solutions with the state\u2019s security committee.<\/p>\n
Dealers recalled the abduction of Abdul Karim Abdullah last month inside the home of his son in Nyala, as reported by Radio Dabanga. Al Nagar, as he is popularly known, is a businessman who holds monopoly of motorcycle and bike trade in the vicinity.<\/p>\n
His captors are reportedly asking a ransom of one billion Sudanese pounds to free the trader. Sources explained that perpetrators would in the past kidnap foreign aid workers for ransom. However, after agencies left the state, outlaws started targeting rich merchants instead.<\/p>\n
\u201cDozens\u201d of businessmen, including Adam Bakhour and Juma Bakhat who deal crops and sugar, left to Khartoum for fear of being targeted by outlaws if they remain in Nyala.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, security forces announced they managed to stop the kidnapping of another prominent businessman called Abdul Waris Al Amin Mohamed Khair.<\/p>\n
They said five masked gunmen driving Land Cruisers had stormed his factory in Nyala on Tuesday adding they arrested five suspects the day after, adding they would still be questioned.<\/p>\n
The events around Khair sparked outrage among hundreds of traders, who gathered in front of his office in protests against the kidnap attempt.<\/p>\n
Sources told Radio Dabanga they deeply lament the series of abductions taking place in broad day light in Nyala, and expressed their surprise how the latest incident occurred just hours after they left the meeting with the state governor.<\/p>\n
Radio Dabanga file photo<\/em><\/p>\n Related<\/em>: Son of \u2018biggest gold trader\u2019 of South Darfur shot dead<\/a> (1 March 2013)<\/p>\n