HUDO Centre Date: 20th August 2023 No.: H.K/PS/27/023 PRESS STATEMENT ARREST OF MR. ABDALLA MEKKI BY SAF IN DAMAZIN, SUDAN On 30th July 2023, Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in Damazin town arrested Mr. Abdalla Hamid Abdalla Makki and detained him at the military base. He was later released the following day under strict conditions. The arrest was because his brother had joined RSF. On 30th July 2023, SAF soldiers arrested Mr. Abdalla Hamid Abdalla Mekki from Al-Zuhur neighborhood market of Damazin town. He was detained at Damazin military base where he was interrogated. His mobile phone was searched (all social media accounts) and he was forced to open his electronic financial account (Bankak application). He was detained for one night and then released the following day on condition that he must report daily to the military base. He had reported for almost a week and the military used to keep him waiting from morning to evening hours, which was negatively affected his daily work/activities. The given reason for his arrest that his brother has joined Rapid Support Force (RSF) and he was accused by the SAF that he could intend to follow his brother steps. Mr. Abdalla Hamid Abdalla Mekki (25 years old) is self-employed and resident of Al-Zuhur neighborhood in Damazin town. Damazin is the capital of the Blue Nile State. HUDO Centre is concerned about the safety of the civilians in Sudan during this challenging period of fighting (conflict) between SAF and RSF and calls for the following;  The Sudan Armed Forces in Blue Nile State/ Damazin to stop coercing civilians to report at their base on a daily basis.  The commander of SAF in Blue Nile State to investigate the circumstances of the arrest of Mr. Abdalla Hamid Abdalla Mekki in Damazin and make the report public.  Sudan Armed Forces to stop arresting civilians arbitrarily End: For more information, please write to hudo2009@gmail.com