RSF accused of looting 60% of livestock in Sudan’s Jazirah state

December 15, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – The Al Jazirah Conference, a civilian entity formed after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of Al Jazirah state in December 2023, accused the paramilitary group on Sunday of looting 60% of livestock and decimating the poultry sector in the region.

In a report obtained by Sudan Tribune, the Al Jazirah Conference said the RSF systematically looted cattle, sheep, goats, and camels, calling for accountability and compensation for the losses.

The report estimated the total livestock in Al Jazirah state to be around 11 million heads before the RSF takeover. It said losses from the looting exceeded 60%, amounting to an estimated $3.5 billion, excluding the poultry sector.

Details of the looting

According to the report, livestock in the Greater Wad Madani locality was completely looted, with 10,700 head of cattle, 85,000 sheep, and 43,000 goats stolen.

In South Al-Jazira locality, 399,000 cattle, 217,000 sheep, and 42,200 goats were looted, representing 80% of the livestock.

In al-Hasahiisa locality, 545,000 cattle, 671,000 sheep, and 493,000 goats were looted (82%). In al-Kamlin locality, 205,000 cattle, 493,000 sheep, and 478,000 goats were stolen.

The report noted that these figures represent more than 50% of the total livestock and that the inventory is still ongoing.

In al-Manaqil locality, 442,000 cattle, 583,000 sheep, 378,000 goats, and 10,000 camels were looted (10%). In al-Qurashi locality, 987,000 cattle, 880,000 sheep, 378,000 goats, and 2,000 camels were stolen (15%).

In East Jazirah locality, 207,000 cattle, 159,000 sheep, 207,000 goats, and 13,000 camels were looted. In Umm al-Qura locality, 578,000 cattle, 556,000 sheep, 280,000 goats, and 28,000 camels were stolen (45%).

The report stated that livestock looted from eastern Al Jazirah state following the defection of RSF commander Abu Aqla Kakl to the army in October was transported west across the al-Hasahiisa bridge in Jazeera state and the al-Manshiya bridge in Khartoum state.

Poultry farms decimated

Al Jazirah Conference report also revealed that poultry farms were completely looted, including large farms like Mico, Cordoba, Bahri al-Jazirah, and the Asaad Nan Poultry Project, which have a capacity of 320,000 chickens per cycle.

There were 32 medium-sized poultry farms with a capacity of 100,000 chickens per cycle and 340 small farms with an average production of 10,000-50,000 chickens per cycle.

The report observed that looting was higher in the six localities under full RSF control and lower in al-Manaqil and al-Qurashi, which are not entirely under RSF control.

The report concluded by highlighting the systematic looting and transportation of Al Jazirah state’s renowned indigenous sheep, overseen by the RSF.