Residents in the locality of Um Dafoug in South Darfur state say Russian forces operating in the Central African Republic (CAR) have intensified military activity along the border with Sudan, reinforcing their presence with local recruits.
Witnesses told Darfur24 that they observed large numbers of Russian personnel for the first time along the road linking territory in the Central African Republic with the Sudanese town of Um Dukhn in Central Darfur state. They said some of those deployed appeared to be local fighters accompanying the Russian forces.
Mohammed Al-Sayir, a Sudanese man who had traveled from the area of Indaha inside the Central African Republic, said the forces stopped and searched travelers before allowing them to continue their journey. He noted that no one was detained and no property was confiscated.
Local reports indicate that Russian forces in the Central African Republic have previously trained hundreds of local recruits, including members of Sudanese tribes living along the border area, as part of security operations in the region.
There was no immediate official comment from authorities in the Central African Republic or from Russia regarding the reports from residents.
