Police authorities in Sudan’s North Darfur State have resumed operations at the Passports, Immigration, and Civil Registry departments after a hiatus of more than six months, which resulted from the conflict that erupted between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in mid-April.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Colonel Shihab Al-Din Osman, the Director of Passports, said that the reopening of these departments took place in the presence of government officials, including the Secretary-General of the Darfur Regional Government, Mohammed Ali Abdullah, the Secretary-General of the state government, Ibrahim Hasab Al-Daim, and community leaders.
Osman explained that the issuance of passports and civil registry documents for state citizens had been halted for over six months due to the ongoing conflict in the country since mid-April. He noted that the operations are functioning well now, despite some challenges like electrical stability and the need for certain resources.
Despite certain security challenges, necessary precautions have been taken before resuming work, he assured.
El Fasher resident Mustafa Musa Ahmed expressed his relief at the reopening of the Passport and Civil Registry departments, particularly for citizens who lacked proper documentation. “With the return of civil registry services, citizens will be able to obtain identification papers,” he said.
Saddam Idris, an engineer and civil activist in El Fasher, expressed his happiness regarding the revival of the civil registry in the state. He viewed the reinstatement of these services as a positive step, particularly considering the recent conflicts that led to Darfur’s separation from the state.
He added, “Citizens of Darfur, including children, faced challenges due to the suspension of the civil registry. Now, its return not only facilitates their access to services but also helps them resolve their situations more effectively.”
In September, the Darfur Regional Government received equipment and devices from the federal government in Port Sudan to issue passports and civil registry documents, as part of the agreements reached during discussions between the Regional Government and the Caretaker Minister of Interior.