Violence Continues in City Where AU Peacekeeping Forces are Based
March 6, 2007
Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy has received reports of ongoing violence in the city of El Fasher, North Darfur, a hub of activity for the African Union’s 7,000-member peacekeeping force. The attacks, which target people from black African ethnic groups, reflect a continuing instability that has defied peacekeeping efforts in the area.
On Saturday, March 3, two members of the local janjaweed militia accosted and beat a young shepherd. According to witnesses, the attackers began harassing the boy as he walked through town. When the boy, who appeared to be deaf, did not stop, the men grabbed him from behind and began beating him. The men then bound the boy’s hands and feet and put him in the back of their truck. At this point, five members of the Minni Minawi faction of the Sudanese Liberation Army, which has signed a peace agreement with the Sudanese government, arrived and confronted the assailants. Five more janjaweed came to the assistance of the attackers; heated words were exchanged and guns were brandished. The incident did not escalate any further, however, and the janjaweed members released the boy from the back of their truck.
In another incident, on February 26 at approximately 8:30 PM, a trader from the Fur ethnic group named Adem Mussa was attacked in a market area of El Fasher. Seven janjaweed beat him and threatened him at gunpoint. They took his cell phone and 20,000 Sudanese pounds and continued to beat him, calling him a “black animal.” Two people who witnessed the attack said that no one came to Mr. Mussa’s assistance, as all of the onlookers were too scared to intervene. Mr. Mussa’s current condition is unknown.
In a third incident, which occurred on the evening of February 24, 2007, a mechanic identified only as Barakat was attacked in a different area of the same market in El Fasher. Just after sunset, as vendors were closing down their shops for the day, five members of the local janjaweed militia entered Barakat’s shop. According to witnesses, the janjaweed demanded money and the keys to the vehicles on which the mechanic was working. When he refused, the men threw him to the ground and began beating him. Uttering ethnic slurs, they thrust a gun barrel in his chest and stomped on his torso and legs. The assailants then searched him and the shop, and left the scene with three new mobile phones and approximately 50,000 Sudanese pounds. As they left, the attackers called Barakat a “dirty slave” and fired their weapons into the air.
Barakat, age 50, is from the Fur ethic group. He was badly injured in the attack, and was taken the local hospital to receive treatment. His current condition is unknown.
The attack was reported by three people who were working in the market. They said the five assailants were wearing government military uniforms, but were not dressed according to regulation or wearing army boots. The witnesses recognized them as janjaweed based on their accents and the condition of their garments and shoes.
Related Damanga Report: Insecurity on the Rise in El Fasher; Military Assault By Janjaweed Seems Imminent
Related Reuters Article: AU Peacekeeper Attacked in Darfur |
