East Darfur ‘tense’ after Ma’aliya protests

The situation in East Darfur is still tense after demonstrations organised by Ma’aliya in Abu Karinka, Adila, Sharef, and El Mazrob on Sunday and Monday.

The situation in East Darfur is still tense after demonstrations organised by Ma’aliya in Abu Karinka, Adila, Sharef, and El Mazrob on Sunday and Monday.

The Ma’aliya protested against the formation of a new East Darfur State government, and demanded the abolition of East Darfur State, and the incorporation of the areas inhabited by Ma’aliya in North Darfur State. Last Wednesday, fierce clashes erupted between Ma’aliya and Rizeigat tribesmen, after Rizeigat reportedly attacked Ma’aliya in Um Rakuba, Abu Karinka locality. Hundreds of people were killed.

“Government offices in Abu Karinka town, Adila town, Sharef, and El Mazrob are closed after the protesters changed the locks. The Zakat (Islamic alms) and tax offices in the area are shut too. The only government institutions working are the police, the hospitals, and the water wells,” said a resident of Abu Karinka.

Meanwhile, the Teachers’ Union branch of East Darfur State decided on an open-ended strike on Wednesday, in protest against financial arrears, amounting to about SDG 3.3 million ($900,000).

The arrears include the salaries of August, a part of the salaries of July, top-ups of January and February, promotion raises, presidential bonuses of 2012, public transport allowances for secondary school teachers, clothing allowances, and retirement dues.

Mohyieldin Ahmed Mohamed, member of the Teachers Union of Ed Daein locality said that the teachers in Ed Daein will strike from Wednesday until Sunday in protest against the non-payment of their salaries for three months.

He called on the East Darfur State government to pay the arrears, “so as not to stop the educational process in the state.”

Reporting by Radio Dabanga

File photo: Ma’aliya gathering in Adila on Sunday (Radio Dabanga)