GIS AND SAF ARRESTED COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ACTIVISTS IN AL ABBASIYA, SUDAN

Priority: Medium

Status: Published

No.: H.K/UA/15/024 Date: 2nd December 2024 <h5> URGENT APPEAL</h5> <h6> GIS AND SAF ARRESTED COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ACTIVISTS IN AL ABBASIYA, SUDAN</h6> Since 11th November 2024, twelve (12) community leaders and activists were arrested by General Intelligence Service (GIS) in collaboration with SAF in Al-Abbasiya. They were later transported to Abu-Jibaiha military garrison where they are held incommunicado. No reason was given as to why they were arrested. On 11th November 2024, a group of soldiers from General Intelligence Service (GIS) and Sudan Armed Force (SAF) came on three (3) vehicles in Al-Abbasiya and arrested twelve (12) community leaders and activists from their homes. They detained them at the GIS cells for one (1) night and the next day (12th November 2024) they were transferred them to SAF cells at SAF military barracks in Al-Abbasiya. On 13th November 2024, the twelve (12) detainees were deported under heavy security (guards) to Abu-Jibaiha military garrison. And since then, they have been kept incommunicado. According to HUDO Centre credible source, the detainees have not been interrogated yet and their fate is unknown. The names of detainees are; 1) Omdda/ Mahmoud Edriss Elzaibaq (72 years old, the town mayor and Amir representative). 2) Mr. Mohammed Abdalla Abaru (67 years old and the former chairperson of the farmer union in Al-Abbasiya) 3) Mr. Nasreldin Abubaker Elmansour (55 years old and one of the dismissed Amir family member) 4) Mr. Tawheed Eltahir Eisa Jundi (48 years old). 5) Musa Eltahir Eisa Jundi (44 years old) 6) Mahmoud Ahmed Almansour (45 years old, activist and the son of the dismissed Amir) 7) Mr. Mohammed Mahmoud Sawar (58 years old, teacher and Amir’s family member). 8) Mr. Rahama Eltahir Rahama (59 years old and one of the community leaders). 9) Mr. Abdelaziz Ahmed Adam (50 years, farmer). 10) Dr. Adam Khaleifa (60 years old, activist and university lecturer). 11) Mr. Hassan Ahmed Yousif. 12) Mr. Mohammed Hashim Noureldaeem. A community leader from Al Abbasiya talked to HUDO Centre saying that, “I believe the arrest is related to the new appointment of Amir in Al Abassiya since the arrest was on the same day of the official announcement”. HUDO Centre is concerned about the safety of civilians in Sudan during this difficult period of fighting between SAF and RSF and calls for the following:  The Sudan Armed Force (SAF) in Abu-Jibaiha to immediately and unconditionally release the twelve (12) detainees or take them to the courts of law.  The head of the security committee in South Kordufan State (the governor) to investigate the circumstance behind the arrest and make the findings public.  The SAF and GIS to stop targeting and arresting civilians.  Sudan government to respect the constitutional rights of citizens. Additional information: Al-Abbasiya is the capital of Al-Abbasiya locality in South Kordufan State/ Nuba Mountains. It’s the original habitat of Tegali tribes of Nuba. Abu-Jibaiha is the capital of Abu-Jibaiha locality in South Kordufan State/ Nuba Mountains where the SAF headquarters of the Eastern region of South Kordufan is located and Al-Abassiya garrison is under it. The tribal leader named Amir (historically was Mac) of the Tagali tribes is based in Al-Abassiya town. Many other tribes are under his jurisdiction. The Amir position is a monarch of the family of Mac Gailey. The current Amir came to power through the known customary and traditional laws since 2016 when his brother (the former Amir) passed away. Since that time, he has been considered as legitimate and recognized by the government. Suddenly, on 11th November 2024, the South Kordufan state governor appointed the Amir’s nephew (Mr. Mohammed Mukhtar Adam Geiley) when Amir was away for medical treatment trip to Kosti town (in the neighbouring state of White Nile). The appointment letter ignored the existence of the current Amir. It was on this same day that, the arrest was implemented without giving a reason. HUDO Centre spoke to many community leaders and activists in Al-Abbasiya town about the reason behind the arrest and their response is summarized below;  Some believe the decision was related to the Amir criticizing the local government, state government and the SAF commandant about their negligence towards the IDPs from surrounding Al-Abassiya whom seek refuge in Al-Abassiya while the Amir was doing his best with the community in serving them.  Others said that; the reason was the newly discovered gold in Jogana area (7 km SW Al-Abbasiya) in which the Amir rejected the SAF from doing gold mining there. In line with the same act of dismissing community leaders by the state governor, a similar dismissal has happened in South Darfur state by its governor for 69 community leaders. The governor accused them of associating with the Rapid Support Force (RSF). Note: Since the war erupted between Sudan Armed Force (SAF) and Rapid Support Force (RSF) in April 2023, some authorities of the federal ministries have been shifted to the state governors. For instance, the tribal administration was shifted from the federal governance ministry to the state governor. The violated rights: Personal freedom  Articles 46, 48 & 52 of the Constitutional Document 2019.  Articles 3, 6 & 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.  Articles 9, 14 & 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

GIS AND SAF ARRESTED COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ACTIVISTS IN AL ABBASIYA, SUDAN

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