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Sudan Govt. Pledges to Provide Security to Darfur after Protests

Civilians gather as members of Sudanese pro-democracy protest on the anniversary of a major anti-military protest, in Khartoum, Sudan June 30, 2020. (Reuters)
Civilians gather as members of Sudanese pro-democracy protest on the anniversary of a major anti-military protest, in Khartoum, Sudan June 30, 2020. (Reuters)
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Sudan Govt. Pledges to Provide Security to Darfur after Protests

Civilians gather as members of Sudanese pro-democracy protest on the anniversary of a major anti-military protest, in Khartoum, Sudan June 30, 2020. (Reuters)
Civilians gather as members of Sudanese pro-democracy protest on the anniversary of a major anti-military protest, in Khartoum, Sudan June 30, 2020. (Reuters)

The Sudanese government pledged to fulfill demands of protesters in Darfur’s Nierteti region to provide security for locals and protect agricultural crops from militias, more than a week after the locals took to the streets to protest instability in the area.

A delegation from the federal government arrived in Nierteti in Central Darfur this weekend to speak with the demonstrators at a sit-in.

Head of the delegation Mohamed El Taayshi revealed that an agreement was reached to form a joint force composed of the army, police and Rapid Support Forces. The force would collect weapons, impose security and protect the agricultural season.

The delegation also agreed to organize the domestic mining of gold under the supervision of the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company Limited. A peaceful coexistence initiative in the Marrah Mountains will also be backed, in addition to establishing a court and public prosecution in the region to reinforce the rule of law.

In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said the protesters’ demands were “fair and worthy,” vowing to work to carry them out for “the security and stability” in the region.

Hamdok further lauded the “civilized” protest of Nierteti residents.

An official spokesman for the protestors told Asharq Al-Awsat that the citizens were demanding protection from militias, systematic killings and the targeting of activists in the region.

Undeterred, the militias killed a woman and officer on Sunday, pushing the people to take to the streets in protest.

Nierteti is one of the vital tourist cities in Marrah Mountains with a population of around 120,000. People there depend on agriculture and grazing.

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SOHR: Document Reveals Assad Family Smuggled Millions to Moscow

The historic Hotel Ukraina in central Moscow (Wikipedia)
The historic Hotel Ukraina in central Moscow (Wikipedia)
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SOHR: Document Reveals Assad Family Smuggled Millions to Moscow

The historic Hotel Ukraina in central Moscow (Wikipedia)
The historic Hotel Ukraina in central Moscow (Wikipedia)

A confidential document obtained by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has revealed massive money smuggling operations carried out via Syrian Airlines to Moscow.
The operations are described as among the most corrupt financial transfers orchestrated by the now-defunct Syrian regime.
According to the document, the majority of the funds stem from profits made through the production and trade of Captagon, a highly lucrative illicit drug.
The head of SOHR, Rami Abdel Rahman, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the most recent transfer took place just four days before Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow in December of last year.
Rami Abdel Rahman also affirmed that the leaked document underscores the “deep involvement of the former Syrian regime in illegal activities.”
He added that further investigations could uncover a vast network of secret financial operations used to transfer large sums of money from Syria to Russia and other countries under official cover and without oversight.
“The regime, led by the ousted Assad and his brother, spearheaded drug-related investments, particularly through the production, promotion, and export of Captagon,” Abdel Rahman told Asharq Al-Awsat.
He explained that one key route involved a small port near the Afamia chalets on Syria's coast, which previously belonged to Rifaat al-Assad, the brother of late former President Hafez al-Assad.
From there, shipments were sent via smugglers to Italian ports, where collaborating traders distributed the drugs globally.
A Syrian source based in Russia, closely monitoring the regime’s activities and investments there, said the content of the leaked document is not new but that its official confirmation adds weight to prior claims.
“Western media had previously reported on the regime’s money-smuggling operations, which led to some loyalists being added to international sanctions lists, particularly regime-linked businessmen like Mudalal Khouri,” the source, who requested anonymity, told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Sanctions were also imposed on individuals accused of money laundering for the regime.
The source confirmed that the operations were conducted using Syrian Airlines flights to Moscow.
“There were dozens of such flights, each loaded with hard currency—mostly US dollars and €500 euro notes,” the source said.
The money was reportedly delivered directly from the airport to the Syrian regime's embassy in Moscow, where it was distributed to loyalist businessmen.
These funds were then invested in Russian and Belarusian banks, real estate, and commercial properties. Some of the money was also used to establish companies in both countries.
The operations were allegedly overseen by Mohammed Makhlouf, the maternal uncle of Assad.