Sudan's capital gripped by crime wave blamed on SAF's militias

Khartoum, Sudan's capital, is currently experiencing a wave of criminal activity that has locals on edge. The 31-year-old engineer, Abdel Rahman Tareq, who returned to Khartoum to repair his family home, was himself a victim of armed robbery in June. Tareq and his family fled to Saudi Arabia in 2023 after the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their paramilitary allies, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), retook the city from its civil war adversary, the RSF.

Tareq returned to Khartoum in May to mend his damaged home and gauge the city's living conditions after the war. However, his return was short-lived as he was kidnapped by armed men who stole his mobile phone and money before leaving him tied up. Tareq's account is far from unique, as residents claim Khartoum has been plagued by a surge in crime since the SAF and RSF militias returned to the city.

The SAF and its allied militias are not the only groups contributing to the crime wave, as former Darfur rebels, Islamist militiamen, and RSF members who switched sides also operate in the capital.

The government's response to the escalating crime has been controversial. Despite the SAF's control over many areas within Khartoum, crime rates have surged, leaving residents anxious, particularly in areas with limited access to basic services. Power outages are frequent, exacerbating the sense of insecurity. The SAF's narrative of restoring order contrasts with the reality of the situation, as both sides in the ongoing war are accused of war crimes and obstructing humanitarian aid.

Over half of Sudan's population is facing hunger, and at least 13 million have been displaced since the conflict began.