Zalingei, June 27 (Darfur24)
Residents of Zalingei in Central Darfur State say armed robberies and other forms of lawlessness have surged in recent weeks, with gunmen targeting civilians for their phones, cash and other belongings in several neighborhoods across the city.
Three residents told Darfur24 that organized robberies have become increasingly common in the Al-Muhafizin, Kanjumiya and Al-Wadi neighborhoods, particularly shortly after sunrise and around sunset, when people are travelling to and from markets and workplaces.
A resident of Al-Muhafizin, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said he was robbed of his mobile phone and cash while on his way to the central market.
He said three masked gunmen stopped him at gunpoint before seizing his phone and all the money he was carrying.
In a separate incident, a resident of the Eastern neighborhood said armed men assaulted him and stole money he had withdrawn from the market before he reached his home.
According to the victim, the attackers were wearing Rapid Support Forces (RSF) uniforms and kadmoul face coverings and were travelling on a motorcycle. He alleged they carried out similar armed robberies against other residents.
A relative of another victim told Darfur24 that his brother was robbed of more than 12 million Sudanese pounds and his mobile phone while returning home from the market.
He said most robberies in Al-Muhafizin neighborhood occur during the early morning hours when streets are largely deserted.
A police source in Zalingei, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that most armed robberies take place at dawn or around sunset and said the perpetrators frequently impersonate RSF personnel.
The source said police stations in the city received more than 13 reports of armed robbery in a single week, including three cases involving physical assaults.
He added that the Director of the Federal Police in Central Darfur, Lieutenant Colonel Makki Dedan Ghubush, has developed a security plan to arrest the perpetrators in coordination with the RSF military police.
Last Thursday, the Federal Police conducted a security parade through Zalingei’s neighborhoods to demonstrate their presence following the recent rise in armed robberies.
Addressing police officers during the parade, Ghubush acknowledged that the force faces severe resource shortages but said it continues to carry out its duties through its operational departments to protect civilians and public institutions.
He added that the police are coordinating with the RSF and other security units to combat criminal activity and improve public security.
In a separate development, displaced people sheltering at the Jebel Marra displacement centre northwest of Zalingei said the site has repeatedly been targeted by armed thieves.
One displaced resident told Darfur24 that the centre has experienced several nighttime robberies, the latest involving the theft of toilet doors installed last week by the French humanitarian organization Génération Humanitaire.
He said the gunmen opened fire when displaced residents attempted to stop them from removing the doors, forcing them to retreat.
According to the resident, the authorities have yet to intervene to stop the attacks or recover the stolen property, despite reports that the doors were taken into the city.
The RSF has controlled Zalingei since 2023 following the withdrawal of the Sudanese army from the 21st Infantry Division. Since then, the group has established a civilian administration and formed police, prosecution and judicial institutions in Central Darfur.