Khartoum, Sudan—In the aftermath of military operations reclaiming territory from paramilitary forces, reports of Sudan Vehicle Seizures are mounting. Civilians across Al-Jazira State and Khartoum have accused uniformed personnel of confiscating cars, often under forged documents or military orders. Vehicles, representing years of savings or remittances, are being stripped for parts, sold to workshops, or held indefinitely, disrupting families’ mobility and livelihoods.
Military Seizures and Civilian Cars
Many civilian car owners, including pseudonymous Mourtada al-Hadi, have lost vehicles purchased after years of work. Following Sudan’s army reclaiming areas from Rapid Support Forces (RSF), cars once parked legally were seized using “Form 12 S” logistics documents or forged certificates known locally as “The Cable.” Investigations reveal at least 28 reported cases involving vehicles seized by military personnel, with some involving colonels. Despite police and prosecution intervention, cars often remain inaccessible.
The seized vehicles include SUVs, sedans, and light commercial vehicles, all essential for daily transport and economic activity. The lack of return undermines road vehicle security, leaving families unable to commute, transport goods, or sustain livelihoods dependent on vehicle access.
Legal and Administrative Gaps
Sudan’s Armed Forces Act and the 1991 Criminal Code prohibit misuse of authority and seizure of civilian property, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. However, loopholes and inconsistent enforcement have allowed soldiers to exploit civilian cars. While RSF looting involved more than 200,000 vehicles, military seizures post-liberation have created a secondary layer of disruption, raising questions about oversight, documentation, and accountability for civilian car ownership.
Joint security cells, designed to process illegal property, struggle to track seizures, particularly when cars are dismantled for spare parts. In Khartoum, recovered parts weigh over seven tonnes, highlighting the scale of the dismantling industry that thrives on stolen vehicles.
Impacts on Vehicles and Families
For civilians, cars are not just metal—they are essential tools for commuting, business, and the transport of goods. Sudan Vehicle Seizures disrupt public transport, commercial trade, and access to essential services. Families face the dual burden of lost property and increased vehicle repair costs for those who continue driving under unsafe conditions, as stolen or damaged parts circulate in local workshops.
Governor Ahmed Osman established joint committees to monitor workshops and track stolen cars, seizing 41 vehicles in East Nile locality alone. While some prosecutions are underway, the scale of theft and dismantling indicates ongoing challenges in ensuring vehicle safety and ownership rights across Sudan.
Toward Road Vehicle Security in Sudan
Legal experts and retired officials call for stricter enforcement of existing laws, transparent documentation, and military judiciary oversight to curb Sudan Vehicle Seizures. For families relying on vehicles for mobility and income, restoring trust in vehicle ownership and road security is crucial. Without systemic reforms, the post-liberation period risks replacing one source of instability with another—this time in the form of civilian car confiscations.
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