‘Where is the state?’: Mass looting engulfs Sudanese capital
The Hindu
Witnesses said that mass looting by armed men and civilians is making life an even greater misery for Khartoum residents trapped by fierce fighting between Sudan’s Army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
Witnesses said that mass looting by armed men and civilians is making life an even greater misery for Khartoum residents trapped by fierce fighting between Sudan’s Army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
While the RSF dominates the capital on the ground and the Army conducts frequent airstrikes, the witnesses said police had vanished from the streets when the fighting started in Khartoum on April 15.
“Nobody protects us. No police. No state. The criminals are attacking our houses and taking everything we own,” said Sarah Abdelazim, 35, a government employee.
As mayhem grips Khartoum, the Army accuses the RSF of looting banks, gold markets, homes and vehicles. The RSF denies the charge and has released videos of its men arresting looters. The paramilitary force says some people wear RSF uniforms and steal to make them look bad.
Some witnesses said the RSF stole vehicles and set up camps in people’s houses. The RSF denies this claim.
More than 17,000 men jailed in Sudan’s two most dangerous prisons — Kobar and Al Huda — were released early in the fighting. Both sides blame the other for the prison break.
“We are now living in the devil’s city. People are looting everything, and neither the army nor the RSF, nor the police, none of them want to protect ordinary people. Where is the state?” said Mohamed Saleh, 39, a primary school teacher.