A cross-section of residents of in West Darfur State’s capital El Geneina have welcomed last week’s decision by Governor Tijani Al-Taher Karshoum to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew and the prohibition of firing guns in the town and its environs.
Mohamed Musa Al-Ghali, the leader of the Democratic Engineers League, described the decision as spot-on and necessary and said it came at the right time because of criminal activities.
“There were security necessities that imposed this decision, including thefts and assaults on citizens,” he explained. “After 15 April, there was a constitutional vacuum, security fluidity, and a complete absence of security, justice, police, prosecutors, and other institutions.”
According to Musa, the fluid situation required the presence of government authority and emergency decisions like the ones that were issued by the governor.
“The implementation of these decisions requires mechanisms and the presence of a force on the ground that can move in the city to implement the decision,” he asserted. “The state of affairs also necessitates emergency courts to issue rulings. In the event of a violation, a deterrent punishment must be imposed without favor.”
Another El Geneina resident, Hussein Kabir, described the decision as successful because its purpose is to limit the spread of crime and combat vices.
“We noticed seriousness in the implementation n of the governor’s orders and we saw vehicles moving inside the neighborhoods to enforce the curfew,” he explained. “This has created reassurance for the citizens because every person feels safe at their homes or even when they are moving about.”
He said Governor Al-Taher’s orders led to the stoppage of indiscriminate firing of guns in the town because patrols are monitoring and enforcing the order in the town’s neighborhoods.
“I hope for more similar measures to be taken until the country returns to normal,” Kabir added.
A civil society activist, Yousif Mohammed Yousif, described the governor’s order as “splendid and accurate for this specific period.”
He said the decision would contribute to establishing security but protested against the fines, saying they are too hefty.
“I am hopeful that the governor’s orders will contribute positively to maintaining security and returning the city to its original good ways,” Yousif added.