The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have allegedly stolen property and ransacked an Islamic complex in Kadugli town in Sudan’s South Kordofan state where they had been quartered temporarily, according to witnesses in Kadugli.   

The complex was built by a Kuwaiti donor called Adil Yagoub and comprised a school and orphanage.

Local sources from Kadugli told Radio Tamazuj that the RSF, which are popularly referred to also as ‘janjaweed’, were temporarily accommodated in the compound at Hai Murta, before they left recently to operation areas east of Kadugli.

Over 1000 men of the  government-backed militia stayed at the complex. They are accused of having broken a store, looted about 70 mattresses, 75 beds and 12 office chairs as well as other furniture in the complex.

A source in Kadugli said that the militia destroyed toilets and bathrooms and caused accumulation of stagnant water and breeding of mosquitoes within the compound. 

“Local residents living in the area raised the matter to the Kadugli Locality Commissioner and the Education Department on what happened, but the commissioner  promised that he will first assess the damage and the stolen property ,” a local resident said.

RSF enjoys legal protection from the national government in Khartoum. They fall under the command of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).

The militia have drawn criticism from National Umma Party politician Sadiq al-Mahdi, who was recently arrested over comments about the militia. He allegedly told supporters in Gezira State that the RSF are unconstitutional, saying NISS are not allowed to command an entire army.

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File photo: Kadugli, South Kordofan State