Harassment and Extortion… Invoking outrage and complaints against Military Personnel

 Recently, a notable escalation in complaints from women on social media took place -regarding the behavior of military personnel affiliated with the Mobilized Force stationed at “Merowe” Checkpoint. The aforementioned military personnel were accused -by the women- of harassment and extortion as the accusers were traveling on the road, which, naturally, prompted calls for an investigation and to hold the military leaders in the area accountable.

 One woman reported that a man in SAF uniform boarded a bus and attempted to force a young woman into a tent within the premises of the checkpoint. According to reports, he proceeded to forcefully confiscate her passport and later sat next to her -after she refused to comply with his demands.

 The account added that a female lawyer who was present at the time of the incident intervened to support the young woman, and as a result, the passport was later returned -after her family contacted the relevant authorities.

 The incident sparked valid widespread outrage on social media, with calls to provide a higher level of security for women at checkpoints and to hold any personnel found to be involved in abuses or violations against women and civilians accountable.