The Sudanese government pledged to fulfill demands of protesters in Darfur’s Nierteti region to provide security for locals and protect agricultural crops from militias, more than a week after the locals took to the streets to protest instability in the area.
A delegation from the federal government arrived in Nierteti in Central Darfur this weekend to speak with the demonstrators at a sit-in.
Head of the delegation Mohamed El Taayshi revealed that an agreement was reached to form a joint force composed of the army, police and Rapid Support Forces. The force would collect weapons, impose security and protect the agricultural season.
The delegation also agreed to organize the domestic mining of gold under the supervision of the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company Limited. A peaceful coexistence initiative in the Marrah Mountains will also be backed, in addition to establishing a court and public prosecution in the region to reinforce the rule of law.
In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said the protesters’ demands were “fair and worthy,” vowing to work to carry them out for “the security and stability” in the region.
Hamdok further lauded the “civilized” protest of Nierteti residents.
An official spokesman for the protestors told Asharq Al-Awsat that the citizens were demanding protection from militias, systematic killings and the targeting of activists in the region.
Undeterred, the militias killed a woman and officer on Sunday, pushing the people to take to the streets in protest.
Nierteti is one of the vital tourist cities in Marrah Mountains with a population of around 120,000. People there depend on agriculture and grazing.
