HUDO Centre Date: 19th August 2021 No.: H.K/PS/49/021 PRESS STATEMENT LOCAL MILITIA INTERRUPTS THE ACTIVITIES OF AN NGO IN HABILLA, SUDAN On 28th July 2021, a government militia dressed in SAF uniform at Habilla threatened to arrest an NGO worker under allegations of aiding rebels. This forced the NGO to stop delivering their service to the beneficiaries. Habilla Resistant Committee complained and submitted the protest letter to the government authorities but there was no feedback. On 28thJuly 2021, Lt. Col. Ahmed Abu-Rubat the commandant of a militia threatened to arrest Mr. Ibrahim Mahmoud who works with an NGO (Fayaleg Elrahma) in Habilla. Mr. Ibrahim Mahmoud was monitoring the distribution of agricultural seeds to rural farmers through a contracted company (Zahraa Company). The militia commandant threatened to arrest Mr. Ibrahim and he accused him of supporting rebel collaborators (according to their words). This forced the NGO to cut short the project activities which affected the beneficiaries. On 31st July 2021, the resistant committee of Habilla town submitted a complain note to the state government (via the locality administrative officer) about the misconduct of this militia and requested that the militia should be relocated out of Habilla. But, there has been no feedback from authority. An activist in Habilla informed HUDO that, this militia named itself “Special task group” and we believe it’s supported by a member (military) of Sovereign council. Habilla is a capital city of Habilla locality in South Kordufan State/ Nuba Mountains. HUDO is very concerned about the security situation and the safety of civilians in conflict areas and calls upon;  Sudan government to investigate this case and hold account the responsible people.  Sudan government to address the state of insecurity in South Kordufan/ Nuba Mountains.  Sudan government to ensure that the safety of civilians in conflict areas is guaranteed  Sudan government to dissolve government militias and disarm people with unlicensed firearms. End: For more information please write to: hudo2009@gmail.com