Sudan’s Interior Minister: Khartoum Is Safe and Police Forces are Deployed

Interior Minister Babiker Samra has urged citizens who fled their homes in Khartoum to return, stressing that the Sudanese capital has become safe after police deployed across the state’s districts and completely controlled the security chaos that emerged after Khartoum was retaken from the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia last May.

Samra told Asharq Al-Awsat that “the return of citizens helps maintain security, as some armed groups carry out their crimes in neighborhoods where there is little traffic.” He explained, “There is no society that is 100 percent crime-free… We are now in the post-war phase, yet the police have complete control over the capital and other areas.” He urged citizens to report any attacks to police stations, which operate 24 hours a day, if they are subjected to any attacks.

Regarding the armed groups rumored to be attacking citizens and sometimes wearing the uniforms of regular forces, especially in Khartoum, the minister said, “The regular forces are disciplined and protect citizens from gangs… There are groups wearing military or other forces uniforms, but they have been brought under control, and they are not as numerous as is being advertised.”

Meanwhile, Samra told Asharq Al-Awsat that foreigners were arrested in the city of Atbara carrying Sudanese antiquities they intended to smuggle out of the country. They are now being tried. He described them as a gang specializing in antiquities theft, without specifying their nationalities or the country to which they intended to smuggle Sudanese antiquities.

The minister pledged to recover the antiquities smuggled out of Sudan via Interpol, saying, “We have extensive cooperation with them, and we expect to receive important information in the coming period.” He continued, “The militias stole and destroyed Sudanese antiquities and waged war to bring about demographic change, as evidenced by the attacks on Sudanese museums and universities.” He added, “There are hidden hands behind it, but the armed forces and other supporting forces have stopped it.”

Samra noted the presence of a committee composed of investigators and the Ministry of Culture and Information to list the plundered items from museums and archaeological sites. Reports have been filed, the ransacked antiquities identified, and the investigations are now underway. The information has been forwarded to Interpol.

The Minister of Interior explained that the rehabilitation and maintenance of police headquarters, previously targeted by “terrorist militias,” is one of the most important challenges facing them. However, he noted that the aspect of serving citizens’ security has been rehabilitated. He confirmed that the Ministry of Interior has returned to Khartoum and is carrying out its duties normally, and that police are deployed throughout all localities. He added, “The number of police stations receiving citizens’ reports and complaints has reached 98 out of a total of 101 operating stations. Fixed and mobile patrols have been deployed, as well as day and night patrols, to maintain security in the capital, Khartoum.” He continued, “When the war broke out in the capital, the police were present, but after their headquarters were destroyed, the forces were withdrawn to other areas, such as Karari locality.”