Um Dafuq (Arabic: أم دافوق), also spelled Um Dafouk, Um Dafok, Um Dafog, is a town located across the Central African RepublicSudan border in South Darfur. The town holds economic and commercial importance.[2] It is the birthplace of Abdallahi ibn Muhammad.[1]

Um Dafuq
أم دافوق
Town
Palmyra Palm Trees in Um Dafuq
Palmyra Palm Trees in Um Dafuq
Um Dafuq is located in Sudan
Um Dafuq
Um Dafuq
Location of Um Dafuq in Sudan
Coordinates: 10°28′50″N 23°18′33″E / 10.48056°N 23.30917°E / 10.48056; 23.30917
Country Sudan
Control Rapid Support Forces
Population
 (2020 estimation)
 • Total
6,700[1]
Time zoneUTC+2 (CAT)

History

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On 17 April 2012, SLM/A captured Um Dafuq. They seized weapons and ammunition from the military bases in the town. Due to the attack, some civilians fled to the Central African Republic while others sought refuge in Amarok, Sinatah, and Al Masid.[3][4] Sudanese Armed Forces recaptured the town from rebels on 19 April 2012.[5]

In May 2015, the town faced a water shortage due to the closure of a water reservoir.[6]

Tribal fighting between Arab Taisha and Fallata broke out in Um Dafuq on 5 and 6 June 2021, resulting 36 people being killed and 32 being wounded. Responding to this situation, the government deployed its military forces to the town to resolve the conflict. Peace and order were restored in Um Dafuq on 7 June.[7]

A protest broke out in Um Dafuq on 13 March 2022 in response to the bomb explosion in a social event two days before that killed five people and left 27 wounded. The protesters demanded that the government provide security to the town.[8]

Floods swept the town on 13 August 2022 due to the collapse of Um Dafuq Dam, affecting 500 families.[9][2]

On 24 December 2022, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed three people and wounded a woman in a market in Um Dafuq. The following day, residents of the town held a demonstration to protest the incident and demanded that the authorities arrest the perpetrators and expel the RSF from Um Dafuq.[10][11]

The 2023 Sudan conflict saw thousands of refugees fleeing across the border into neighboring Am Dafok in the Central African Republic[12] As of 17 May 2023, Um Dafuq was under the control of Rapid Support Forces with the help of Wagner PMC.[13][14]

Economy

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The town is a place where poachers sold ivory.[15] There is a custom post in the town.[2]

Infrastructure

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The town has a stadium. In January 2023, Hemedti promised that Um Dafuq Stadium would be rehabilitated.[16]

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References

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  1. ^ a b Al-Hawari, Yazid (2020-06-18). "مدينة أم دافوق" [Umm Dafouk city]. sudanjournal.com (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  2. ^ a b c Ali, Hamed Omar (19 February 2023). "انهيار سد أم دافوق: تراجيديا الموارد الطبيعية المُشاعة" [The collapse of the Umm Dafouk Dam: a tragedy of common natural resources]. sudanile.com (in Arabic). سودانايل. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  3. ^ "SLM-MM claims new victories after Um Dafouk". dabangasudan.org. Radio Dabanga. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  4. ^ "بيان من حركة تحرير السودان بقيادة مناوى : تدمير حامية " ام دافوق " العسكرية بجنوب دار فور " [Statement from the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minawi: Destruction of the "Um Dafouk" military garrison in southern Darfur.]. alrakoba.net (in Arabic). Al-Rakoba. 18 April 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  5. ^ Madibo, Abd Almonem (20 April 2012). "الفرقة (61) مشاة تحرِّر أم دافوق وتحتسب (53) شهيداً" [The 61st Infantry Division liberates Umm Dafouk and counts 53 martyrs]. sudaress.com (in Arabic). Sudars. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Sudan: Water crisis in Darfur's Um Dafog town". radiotamazuj.org. Radio Tamazuj. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  7. ^ "South Darfur: 36 killed, dozens wounded in tribal clashes". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  8. ^ "ارتفاع عدد ضحايا حادث تفجير قنبلة "القرنيت" بام دافوق" [The number of victims of the "Qarnit" bomb explosion in Bam Dafouk has increased]. dabangasudan.org (in Arabic). Radio Dabanga. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  9. ^ "نزوح(500) أسرة في أمدافوق بجنوب دارفور جراء السيول" [500 families were displaced in Umm Dafouk, South Darfur, due to floods]. dabangasudan.org (in Arabic). راديو دبنقا. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  10. ^ "توترات في أم دافوق وسرف عمرة بسبب أحداث أمنية" [Tensions in Umm Dafouk and Saraf Omra due to security incidents]. dabangasudan.org (in Arabic). Radio Dabanga. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  11. ^ "مصرع ثلاثة واصابة اثنين بنيران قوات الدعم السريع بام دافوق" [Three killed and two wounded by Rapid Support Forces fire in Bam Dafouk]. darfur24.com (in Arabic). Darfur 24. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Impact of Sudan crisis in the Central African Republic (Flash Update 15 May 2023)". ReliefWeb. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  13. ^ Amin, Mohammed. "Sudan's Darfur draws neighbours back into a war that never ended". middleeasteye.net. Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  14. ^ "Connect the World: Transcript". CNN. June 16, 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  15. ^ Radio Tamazuj, Radio Tamazuj. "Sudan key route for ivory from Central Africa: report". savetheelephants.org. Save The Elephants. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  16. ^ "دعم سخي من حميدتي لتأهيل استاد (ام دافوق)" [Generous support from Hemedti for the rehabilitation of Umm Dafouk Stadium]. nabdsudan.com (in Arabic). Sudan Pulse. Retrieved 2 June 2023.