Sudan’s Al Jazirah Scheme looted, vandalized, millions in losses reported

December 21, 2024 (WAD MADANI) – Sudan’s Al Jazirah Scheme, a major agricultural project, has suffered millions of dollars in losses due to looting and vandalism, the Al Jazirah Conference, a civil society organization, said on Friday.

The conference said the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who seized control of Al Jazirah state a year ago, have looted and destroyed homes, businesses, and agricultural infrastructure. They estimate that nearly 60% of the state’s 11 million livestock have been stolen.

“A total of 245 vehicles were stolen from the Al Jazirah Scheme,” Al-Mubar Mahmoud, Secretary-General of the Al Jazirah Conference, told Sudan Tribune, adding that many of the 33,000 houses belonging to scheme employees were also looted or destroyed.

Initial assessments indicate that 82 offices were looted, along with 50 tractors and a new harvester worth $900,000. The conference also said 200 warehouses were looted and dismantled, with valuable materials transported out of the state.

The Al Jazirah Scheme’s tannery, valued at $300,000, was vandalized, and large quantities of seeds and fertilizers, worth an estimated $300,000, were stolen. Office furniture and electronic equipment, including over 100 computers, were also looted and destroyed.

The Al Jazirah Scheme covers 2.2 million acres and has an estimated market value of $100 billion. Al Jazirah state also holds 60% of the Al-Rahad agricultural project, the Al-Gunayd sugar project, and other agricultural assets.

The Al Jazirah Conference was formed to document and expose human rights violations and destruction of civilian infrastructure in Al Jazirah state.