ARMED RSF SOLDIERS ROBBED TRAVELERS NEAR HABILA - SUDAN,
<p align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:19.15pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:center;text-indent:0cm; line-height:normal"><b>HUDO CENTRE </b></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:19.15pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:center;text-indent:0cm; line-height:normal"><b>No.: H.K/PS/28/023 Date:21st August 2023</b></p> <p align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:19.15pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:center;text-indent:0cm; line-height:normal"><b>PRESS STATEMENT </b><o:p></o:p></p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 1cm 15.5pt; text-indent: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><b> ARMED RSF SOLDIERS ROBBED TRAVELERS NEAR HABILA - SUDAN,</b><o:p></o:p></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:26.4pt; margin-left:0cm;text-indent:0cm;line-height:150%"><b>On 6<sup>th</sup> August 2023, a group of armed and masked Rapid Support Force (RSF) soldiers robbed travelers at gunpoint along the way between Habila and Kortala. This case was reported to Kortala police but no action was taken by police. </b><o:p></o:p></p> <p>On 6<sup>th</sup> August 2023, about sixty (60) travelers were in a convoy consisting of (4) tractors with trailers travelling from Habila to Kortala towns. At a point near Al-Tetal village, they were obstructed by more than twenty (20) masked gunmen dressed in Rapid Support Force (RSF) uniform. The assailants forced passengers to disembark, robbed them of their money and goods onboard under gunpoint. Thereafter, they allowed the travelers to continue with their journey. When the travelers / passengers arrived at<br>Kortala, they all reported the case to the police office at Kortala. But, the police didn’t respond or move to the incident scene. </p> <p>Habila is the capital of Habila locality in South Kordofan State/ Nuba Mountains. Kortala is small town located about 35 km northeast of Habila town. The two towns are located in an agricultural scheme. AlTetal is a village along the road between the two towns. The agricultural tractors with trailers are used in most of the Nuba Mountains areas for transport during the rainy season because of the rough roads (no tarmac roads). </p> <p><b style="font-style: inherit; background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5); color: var(--ast-global-color-3);">HUDO Centre</b> is concerned about the security situation and the safety of civilians during this conflict between SAF and RSF and calls upon;</p> <p><o:p></o:p></p> <p style="margin-left:35.0pt;text-indent:-17.5pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]-->§ The head of police in South Kordufan State / Nuba mountains to investigate this case among others <o:p></o:p></p> <p style="margin-left:35.0pt;text-indent:-17.5pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]-->§ The senior prosecutor in South Kordufan State / Nuba mountains to ensure that there is rule of law. <o:p></o:p></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:20.0pt; margin-left:35.0pt;text-indent:-17.5pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]-->§ Police in South Kordufan State to carry out their duties responsibly. <br><o:p></o:p></p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0cm -0.35pt 19.45pt -0.25pt; line-height: 142%;"><b>End: F</b>ormore information, please write to: <u style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-indent: 0cm; background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5); color: var(--ast-global-color-3);">hudo2009@gmail.com</u></p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>