Darfur RSF reject seizure order for mines belonging to its commander

October 18, 2022 (EL-FASHIR) – The Rapid Support Force (RSF) prevented a police team from seizing the equipment of a gold mining company owned by its force commander in North Darfur state.

The North Darfur State Prosecutor decided to seize a company owned by RSF Commander in North Darfur, Maj Gen Giddo Hamdan Ibnshook, following a complaint lodged by a businessman accusing him and his partner of defrauding money.

Mutawakkil Ali Ibrahim, a fuel trader told Sudan Tribune on Monday that they sold two fuel tankers to General Ibnchook’s partner last January for 39 million pounds.

He pointed out that they received 9 million and the rest would be paid by cheque but they were surprised when the bank refused to pay the amount mentioned on the cheque, indicating it was a dishonoured cheque due to the lack of money.

Ibrahim added that since last January, the police have been unable to arrest Ibnchook’s partner despite the lawsuit lodged against him because of protection provided by his partner and RSF commander in North Darfur.

“We went to the Ministry of Minerals to inquire about the company and got sufficient information about its mining activities. They have three mines, two in North Darfur State and the third is in Central Darfur State,” he said.

However, the RSF prevented the police from implementing a seizure order on the two mines of the company located in the Milit and Kabkabiya localities of North Darfur.

Sudan Tribune obtained a copy of the report issued by the Police Criminal Investigations Department of the North Darfur State regarding the refusal of the RSF to implement the prosecution’s order.

The paramilitary forces are accused of grave human rights violations in Darfur.

However, their leader Deputy Head of the Sovereign Council, Mohammed Hamdan Daglo “Hemitti” several times stressed that no one is above the law.

(ST)