SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Ethiopian gunmen prevent harvest in eastern Sudan

12/10/2020: Radio Dabanga - Ethiopian gunmen prevent harvest in eastern Sudan

 Radio Dabanga report that Ethiopian gunmen (known as shifta) are wreaking havoc on al-Garadif-Ethiopia border, according to the Lands Committee of al-Fashaga.

The shifta reportedly prevented farmers from the villages of Jemeiza and Um Disa in East al-Galabat from harvesting their sesame crops. 

The Ethiopian militiamen are still controlling Sudanese agricultural lands,” the Lands Committee said, adding that “they launch sporadic attacks during the harvest season on areas not under their full control in order to steal the crops.”

In August, shifta reportedly stole 9,000 cows, sheep and camels, committed murders and were involved in kidnapping in al-Fashaga locality. In May, Ethiopian gunmen, supported by the Ethiopian army, killed a Sudanese army captain.

The borders between Ethiopia and Sudan have never been clearly demarcated since the colonial times, paving the way for Ethiopia militants to occupy al-Gadarif farmlands.