HUDO Centre Date: 28th November 2019 No. H.K/UA/21/019 URGENT ACTION SPLA- DC UNLAWFULLY CONFISCATED/ IMPOUNDED A VEHICLE IN SOUTH KORDUFAN, SUDAN On 19thNovember 2019, SPLM/A-DC soldiers confiscated a vehicle belonging to Mr. M. A. Fazari as he was traveling from Gedied to Elmqeins of South Kordufan. They confiscated his vehicle because of failure to pay a tax imposed by them (SPLM/A-DC) on/to civilians in this region. Mr. Fazari reported the case to police and military but both could not take action or respond positively. Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Fazari, 55 years old is a farmer from Abu-Jibaiha locality in South Kordufan State/ Nuba Mountains. Sudan People's Liberation Movement/ Army - Democratic Change (SPLM/A-DC) is a South Sudanese opposition/ rebel movement headed by Dr. Lam Akol. On 19th November 2019, Mr. Fazari was driving his Bedford lorry (Reg. No. KH 1909) from Gedied to Elmqeins. A troop of DC armed soldiers in a vehicle mounted with machine guns obstructed him. They were dressed in National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) operation uniform. The soldiers confiscated his truck and the reason they gave Mr. Fazari was that he had not paid their taxes (imposed) for the gum collectors. The next day (20th Nov 2019), Mr. Fazari went to the locality capital (Abu-Jibaiha town) and reported the incident to police but, they(police) did not record the case in their file. The police referred him to the military garrison. On reporting at the military garrison, he was informed that, the military has no authority over DC and that they are only governed by central order. HUDO is very concerned about security and safety of civilians and their property in conflict areas and calls upon;  Sudan government at state and central level to urgently investigate the case and bring Mr. Fazary’s lorry back and to compensate him. Also to address the issue of perpetrators and the police's failure to respond according to the law.  Sudan government to ensure the protection and safety of people in conflict areas  Sudan government to stop hosting the South Sudan rebels on Sudan territory  Sudan government to respect its international obligations towards their citizens. 1