SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - North Darfur sit-in achieves ban on motorcycles

10/7/2020: Radio Dabanga - North Darfur sit-in achieves ban on motorcycles

 Radio Dabanga reports that the sit-in in Fata Borno in North Darfur’s Kutum, protesting the rampant insecurity in the area, secured its first victory, as locality director Mohamed el-Zein banned all motorcycles and promised to protect farmers.

 Protesters called for el-Zein to evacuate “new settlers” from their farms so they can catch up with the agricultural season, ban the use of motorcycles and weapons, deploy security forces to secure the agricultural season, and combat the growing local drug trade.

 Fata Borno protester Izzeldin Basha told Radio Dabanga that many farmers have not been able to cultivate their farms for years, because gunmen on motorcycles claim ownership of these lands and impose fees on the farmers to allow them to cultivate these lands, as well as carrying out repeated attacks and theft.

 Kutum locality also now prohibits the wearing of the kadamol (a scarf covering the face) during the agricultural season.