Security forces recover equipment stolen from UNAMID site in South Darfur

March 13, 2021 (NYALA) – Sudanese government forces recovered equipment stolen from the former UNAMID team site in Minwashi in South Darfur State and arrested two suspects.

Residents of the Minwashi area looted the former site of the peacekeeping site which had been handed over to the Sudanese government last February. But the local authorities reacted swiftly and managed to stop the looters.

Tijani Hanoun South Darfur Governor stated on Saturday that joint forces have recovered more than 90% of the looted equipment.

Hanoun pointed out that the security forces arrested a number of people involved in the looting and took legal action against them.

He further said they formed an investigation committee, and another committee to inventory the assets and distribute them to the localities and administrative units in the area.

The governor called on the residents of the areas to “give priority to the public interest over personal benefits, to serve the community”, and urged the residents to distance themselves from the narrow ethnic considerations.

The UNAMID terminated its mandate in Darfur as of 31 December 2020. It has been given six months by the Security Council to complete the withdrawal of all uniformed and civilian personnel by 30 June 2021.

Following the looting of the former UNAMID site in Saraf Omra of North Darfur last February, the UNAMID drawdown team discuss the repeated attacks on its former sites with the Sudanese officials who pledged to protect the sites and assets.

(ST)