SG/SM/20597

Secretary-General Condemns Looting of Saraf Umrah Site Handed Over to Sudan after African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur Mandate Ended

The following statement was issued by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General condemns the looting of the first site, Saraf Umrah in Darfur, handed over to the Sudanese authorities following the end of the UNAMID [African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur] mandate in December 2020.  At a time when community needs in Sudan are increasingly pressing, the site was intended to serve as a vocational training centre; unknown assailants have dashed that opportunity.

The Secretary-General calls on the Sudanese authorities to investigate the incident and ensure sufficient security presences for subsequent handovers so that facilities are preserved for civilian use.

For information media. Not an official record.