Authorities in Sudan's Al-Jazira state carried out a demolition operation in Taiba Al-Sheikh Abdul Baqi village on Tuesday, leaving over 100 homes destroyed. The Violations Unit of the state Ministry of Urban Planning conducted the operation, which has sparked widespread protests and condemnation from residents. According to Wael Al-Amin, a land inspector with the Al-Jazira State Land Protection Authority, the operation aimed to protect government-owned land and remove illegal structures and encroachments.
The demolition has been met with strong opposition from traditional leaders and residents, who claim that the operation was unjustified and excessive. Adam Dahab, a traditional leader of the Mararit tribe in Al-Jazira, condemned the demolitions, describing them as appalling and saying that residents had not expected such a large-scale destruction. Dahab called on the government, relevant authorities, and humanitarian organisations to visit the village, assess the damage, and document the destruction.
Residents have expressed concerns about the humanitarian impact of the demolition, particularly with winter approaching. A female resident, who witnessed the destruction of her home, questioned the authorities' failure to protect them and urged the government to take responsibility for their situation. She described the conditions as dire, saying that families had endured difficult circumstances for between five and six years and were now left without homes.
The Central Committee of the Kanabi Conference has issued a statement rejecting attempts to justify the demolitions as routine measures to remove encroachments on government land. The committee called for an independent and transparent investigation into the operation and an immediate suspension of further demolitions pending a review of the procedures. They also urged the authorities to provide urgent shelter assistance and compensation to those who had suffered losses.
The committee further requested that the authorities publish the decisions and legal documents authorising the operation, allowing residents to access them and exercise their right to appeal and seek legal redress. They warned against using residents' social or geographical backgrounds to undermine their rights to housing, stability, and equal citizenship. The allegations of discrimination and the legality of the demolitions remain unverified.
Separately, Darfur Victims Support has alleged that the demolition was motivated by ethnic and regional discrimination against communities originating from western Sudan. According to the organisation, documents relating to Taiba Al-Sheikh Abdul Baqi indicated that residents had been settled in the village since 2005. The organisation described the demolitions as unlawful and said its legal team would provide assistance to affected residents.
The situation in Taiba Al-Sheikh Abdul Baqi village remains tense, with residents facing an uncertain future. The demolition has left many without homes, and concerns about their humanitarian situation continue to grow. Key issues that need to be addressed include the need for an independent investigation, urgent shelter assistance, and protection of residents' rights to housing and stability.
Key points
- Authorities in Al-Jazira state demolished over 100 homes in Taiba Al-Sheikh Abdul Baqi village, sparking protests and allegations of ethnic and regional discrimination.
- Residents and traditional leaders have condemned the demolitions, describing them as unjustified and excessive.
- The situation in the village remains tense, with concerns about the humanitarian impact of the demolition and the need for urgent assistance and protection of residents' rights.
