Looting has carried on for months and continues as law and order has broken down in Sudan, with none of the police stations operating across the country making it impossible for victims to report cases of stolen property. The warring parties are accused of perpetuating the violation of the economic rights of the Sudanese citizens. In this release, ACJPS has documented an incident where RSF and allied militia allegedly participated in the looting of 35 vehicles including those delivering humanitarian aid to Sudanese citizens in Aljazeera state.
The African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) condemns the blatant human rights violations against the Sudanese citizens by the warring parties. We therefore call upon the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary RSF to respect the citizens’ right to property.
On 31 December 2023, at least 35 private vehicles including trucks arrived in Elgenina the capital of West Darfur State. The vehicles were driven by RSF members from Arab and Tama tribes among them was RSF Lutheran Musa Abdul Khair. The vehicles were allegedly stolen from Aljazeera State in Central Sudan currently under the control of RSF following the withdrawal of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The vehicles started arriving in Elgenina on 31 December 2023 till 02 January 2024. The vehicles included Toyotas Hilux new models (2023), Land Cruiser, Jeep, and trucks loaded with Sugar, Dates, and flour as humanitarian assistance from Saudi Arabia labeled "NOT FOR SALE"
The vehicles were driven through the checkpoints established by RSF in West Darfur to neighborhoods in Elgenina including Umkalol located near Subira AirPort, Aljabal, and Umdoun neighborhoods.
Other developments
The Resilient Forces formerly known as the Arab self-defense together with the Tama and Mimi tribes mobilized themselves and joined RSF during gunfights in other Darfur States following a meeting held on 07 November 2023 in the Aljamarik neighborhood in Elgenina. The meeting was held at an abandoned civilian residence and attended by Gen. Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo representing RSF, Mr. Mohamed Ismail the commander of the Arab Tribal militia, and representatives from Tama and Mimi tribal militias. The militias agreed to join RSF in gunfights against SAF.
Background
Since the outbreak of armed conflict in Sudan on 15 April 2023, vehicles among other property have been looted by RSF and allied militia as these are used for transportation and sold cheaply for quick cash. The vehicles are stolen from civilians, government institutions, and humanitarian organizations. The Shefshefa markets in the cities and countryside of Darfur and Kordofan are filled with thousands of cars looted from war zones. Cars carrying humanitarian aid are specifically targeted.