Residents of the South Kordofan state capital have faced some disturbances since the arrival of Sudanese government-backed militia known formally as the Rapid Support Forces or popularly as ‘janjaweed’.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj yesterday, reliable sources said the government paramilitary has caused tensions in the town by shooting randomly in the air.

Local citizens also expressed concern about by the alleged ongoing recruitment of children into the militia. Promotion of officers within the militia is done according to the number of the civilians mobilized locally, according to the same source.

“Whoever is able to mobilize new recruits can do so, including children,” he indicated. “Then he (the recruiter) would be promoted as an officer.”

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