Tawila, July 06 (Darfur24)
Residents in areas controlled by the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdul Wahid Mohamed Nour say the group’s civilian administration has introduced annual fees on livestock owned by families, prompting criticism from local communities.
Residents from Tawila and several areas in eastern Jebel Marra told Darfur24 on Monday that the movement’s civilian authority instructed village sheikhs, local administrators and movement officials to collect annual payments from households and issue official receipts.
According to residents, the fees are set at 1,000 Sudanese pounds per sheep or goat, 2,000 pounds per donkey, 5,000 pounds per horse and 7,000 pounds per camel.
They said local authorities also instructed sheikhs and movement officials to monitor households, while members of the movement were deployed at water points and wells to verify that livestock owners had paid the required fees when bringing animals to drink.
The Sudan Liberation Movement expanded its presence in Tawila locality after the outbreak of the war, saying its deployment was aimed at protecting civilians. It also controls much of the Jebel Marra massif, which spans parts of Central and South Darfur.
Residents have said that the introduction of annual livestock charges has been widely criticized by local communities, many of whom are already struggling with the economic impact of the conflict.
One village sheikh confirmed to Darfur24 that local leaders had been instructed by the movement’s civilian administration to collect the annual fees from families across Tawila and other areas under the group’s control in Jebel Marra.
Darfur24 was unable to obtain comment from the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdul Wahid Mohamed Nour regarding the residents’ allegations.