Arab Militias kill several Civilians in Attacks on a Market and a Village in Western Sudan (5/24/2002)

Over one hundred Arab militias, dressed in army uniforms, riding horses and camels, attacked the weekly market of Habila Kanare on Friday, 17 May 2002, leaving 14 people dead and18 others severely injured. The injured are receiving treatment at Geneina hospital. All the victims belonged to the Massaleit ethnic group.

The attack occurred at about midday when some of the people were praying in the mosque within the market compound. Some of the people were killed while praying which is a terrible violation of the sanctity of the mosque and the rights of the victims.

Many of the victims had come to the weekly market from neighboring villages. The names of those killed and their villages are:

1. Sheik Ahmad (Libiri village)- the Iman of the Mosque within the market.

2. Hajja Tessa (Vawiya village)- wife of Sheik Ahmad

3. Sherif Idris (Abudrub village)

4. Ahmad Hassan Idd (Abudrub village)

5. Abdallah Mohamad Tom (Abudrub village)

6. Mohamad Adam Abdallah (Abudrub village)

7. Ismael Abdallah (Abudrub village)

8. Zakaria Hammad Diar (Duet village)

9. Ishag Yahya (Duet village)

10. Adam Daod Rizik (Dedir village)

11. Gamar Abid (Korkore village)

12. Ismael Abdallah (Korkore village)

13. Omar Yusuf (Kuduni village)

14. unidentified (probably from Kernik village)

Three days following the attack on the market, on 20 May 2002, Arab militias killed 6 persons and injured 14 others from Massaleit, Tama and Dagu ethnic groups at Korkore village. This is the fourth time this village has come under attack this year. The names of the dead who have been identified are listed below:

1. Adam Khatir Yahya (Jelati village)

2. Ibrahim Arbab Abdallah (Kukuta village)

3. Osman Abbu (Morle village)

4. Mohamad Khamis Ahmad (Usure village)

The Sudanese government is the supporter of the Arab militias that disestablish African communities in western Sudan. It should be pressed by the international community to disband the militias and respect the right of all its citizens, regardless of race.