Who looted the citizens’ homes? RSF or other parties !?

The statement issued by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice in the de facto government, claiming that warehouses containing looted items are still located in Khartoum state, failed to stir any sorrow or grief in me, because I am fairly positive, those responsible for looting citizens’ furniture and belongings aren’t Rapid Support Forces soldiers, as is being promoted by the media of the National Congress Party (Al-Kizan), which supports Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan.

Howaida (the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice in Al-Burhan’s government) shared in press statements yesterday that the Governor of Khartoum informed the Ministry of Justice in reports that a large quantity of “Looted items, such as gas cylinders, refrigerators, and television screens, were found in warehouses across the state.”

Adding to the peculiarity of the situation, this Burhanian Undersecretary explicitly stated that some states treated these stolen goods as “hawamel” – swear to God, that’s the exact expression she used- (meaning they had no owners), and that they —i.e the states in question— believe they ought to sell them and keep the proceeds in a compensation fund, while they wait for a fatwa (religious edict) to sell them!

This statement, while deeply regrettable, also reveals much of the media deception practiced —and continues to be practiced— by the (NCP) media outlets that are leading and promoting the war. As the aforementioned continued to support the war and repeatedly stating that members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are the perpetrators of the incessant crimes of theft and looting. However, no documentation (such as a video clip) has emerged to confirm such claims.

Indeed, the Rapid Support Forces had established a Committee to combat negative phenomena, headed by a brigadier general, when the Police Force executed a disappearing act and their commander fled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He returned to Port Sudan more than a year later, where Al-Burhan himself hosted him. This indicates that his escape and the disappearance of the Police Force were ordered by the Sudanese Army leadership to create a security vacuum and a state of widespread chaos.

Let’s return to discussing the matter at hand, as the statement of this senior official in the de facto government confirms that the Rapid Support Forces didn’t loot citizens’ homes, seize their personal belongings and electrical appliances. Otherwise, they would have been sold or transported elsewhere. Two full years of these forces’ presence in Khartoum is sufficient time for them to dispose of or transport these items.

Another aspect that provides further evidence, is that all areas from which the Rapid Support Forces withdrew its forces have been subject to looting operations by members of the Sudanese Army -to this day. We have previously seen videos and heard testimonies from homeowners regarding this matter.

It is no secret that most of those who stole items from the homes of citizens in Khartoum and Al-Jazeera states were members of the Sudanese Army and Mobilized fighters, in addition to organized groups belonging to Arab groups residing east of the Nile (Sharg Alneel) and Al-Butana. These groups continued to steal and sell the stolen goods, utilizing their available means, transport vehicles, and legal protection. In addition, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of video clips documenting citizens looting the homes of their neighbors who had fled the capital to escape the war. We have heard numerous testimonies in this regard, as well.

This certainly doesn’t negate the possibility that some unruly Rapid Support Forces soldiers may have been involved in committing some of these acts, but matters were quickly brought under control by Maj. Gen. Essam Fudail’s Committee. However, neither this committee nor the Rapid Support Forces could have prevented these thefts, following the deliberate concealment of the Police Force by order of the Sudanese Army Command.

The statements of this particular senior official broke the backs of those claiming that the Rapid Support Forces were responsible for the largest looting and plundering operations, otherwise they wouldn’t have left their loot in government warehouses and depots in Khartoum state. At this juncture, the most important question remains: Is the method proposed by the Ministry of Justice official for disposing of the stolen goods logical and legal, or does it allow those thieves and “shafshafa” who run the State to dispose of and sell them under a legal cover?

They are the National Congress Party affiliates (Al-Kizan) —they want to sell the stolen goods under the pretext of placing the proceeds in a compensation fund, for which no law was enacted and which was never established. Moreover, no one will be compensated as long as thieves run this corrupt State.

The truth has been revealed, and with time, the truth will become glaringly clear and be revealed to the citizens. Then they will know who waged the war against them, looted their homes, and displaced them to the farthest corners of the world.

There is a time for everything.