In the latest sign that the violence in Sudan has spread beyond the capital Khartoum, militiamen have been terrorising civilians in the city of Nyala in South Darfur, a journalist and rights monitor there has told the BBC’s Newsday programme.
“They are looting, stealing, destroying people’s property and killing,” Ahmed Gouja said.
He added that the fighters were aligned with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is involved in a battle for power with the Sudanese army.
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“There are two sides to this war – the RSF and the Sudanese army. At the same time we have a war with militias who are looting and stealing people’s property,” Gouja added.
The RSF, formed in 2013, has its origins in the notorious Janjaweed militia that brutally fought rebels in Darfur, where they were accused of ethnic cleansing.
In its latest update on the conflict, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) said that fighting, looting and the burning of houses had also been reported in Ag Geneina town in West Darfur on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Markets have reportedly been looted, as well as several humanitarian organisations’ premises. Most of the health centres are not functioning.”
There were concerns about a potential escalation of ethnic tensions, it added.
SOURCE: BBCNEWS
