The ongoing war in Sudan has led to the destruction of judicial buildings, important files, and court documents in Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur State.
According to officials and residents of the town, acts of sabotage and destruction affected the court complex, land records office, and the Court of Appeal, putting many important files, judicial archives, records, and correspondences at risk.
A legal expert, Munir Jamal, told Radio Tamazuj Tuesday that evidence indicates that the sabotage occurred systematically and was carried out by groups of those who were charged with criminal offenses.
“So, the targeting of the courts is an attempt to obscure the traces and evidence of crimes, especially since these courts are the only body authorized to keep files confidentially,” he explained. “Every criminal is now trying to whitewash his legal record by destroying the files that can constitute convictions against him.”
Munir added that there is a widespread belief among many that destroying land records may enable some unscrupulous individuals to grab other people’s lands and properties.
“They are deluded that and believe that through this war, they can possess other people’s lands,” he said. “This is because many documents related to lands have become computerized and it is possible to retrieve these records.”
For his part, Walid Al-Zaki, a real estate broker in Zalingei, confirmed that Zalingei land records were safe from destruction despite the extent of the vandalism that affected the buildings of the judicial system.
“Majority of land records in Zalingei are in safe locations and they were not damaged in the way that is rumored,” he reassured. “There are books through which land, residential, and agricultural squares can be identified.”
He said that the damage that occurred cannot be compensated for in many areas.
Meanwhile, a lawyer, Manahil Hussein, said that the devastation that occurred in Central Darfur State will have major repercussions on the citizens and the state alike, especially about the rise in crime rates due to the lack of a professional legal body concerned with prosecution and accountability.
He noted that the warring factions will be culpable if it is legally proven that there is systematic and intentional sabotage to destroy the records of the justice system in the state.
After the RSF seized control of Zalingei in October, there has been a complete absence of the judicial staff, including employees and judges in the state. The judicial police stationed in the judicial buildings have for a long period been confronting unruly people until they withdrew due to lack of manpower and lack of logistical supplies.