HUDO Centre Date: 9th April 2023 No.: H.K/PS/13/023 PRESS STATEMENT ARMED SOLDIERS IN UNIFORM ROBBED TRAVELERS NEAR KOSTI, SUDAN On 6th March 2023, a group of armed SAF and RSF soldiers with face masks stopped and robbed passengers near Kosti town. The passenger vehicles were travelling from Al-Abbasiya to Kosti when they were violently stopped by the soldiers who first shot bullets. The case was reported to police at Kosti town, but the police declined to file/record it. On 6th March 2023, a group of about twenty (20) armed soldiers in Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) uniforms forced six (6) passenger vehicles to stop by shooting in the air. The soldiers had face masks and they were riding motorbikes. The passenger vehicles were travelling from Al-Abbasiya to Kosti and they were stopped at a point near Al-Arad village. The attackers (soldiers) robbed the travelers of their smartphones and money at gunpoint. Thereafter, the six vehicles with the travelers continue their journey to Kosti town where they reported the case at Kosti police. But, the police at Kosti town refused (declined) to record (file) the case reasoning that the incident scene was out of their jurisdiction. Instead, the police instructed the victims to report the case to Tendelti police which is more than seventy (70) kilometres away from Kosti yet within the same state of White Nile. A lawyer informed HUDO Centre that; Kosti police does not have a right to push the victims away. That, the police should have communicated with the concerned police station and proceed on their behalf. Al-Abbasiya is the main town of Al-Abbasiya locality in south Kordufan State/ Nuba Mountains. Kosti town is located in White Nile State and it’s connected to Eastern region of South Kordufan State in a distance of 150 km north east Al-Abbasiya. Al-Arad is a village at about 50 km from Kosti town. HUDO Centre is concerned about the security situation and the safety of civilians in conflict areas and calls upon:  The head of police in White Nile State to solve such issues and to clearly investigate this case.  The senior prosecutor in White Nile State to ensure that there is rule of law.  The ministry of defense to control soldiers, investigate this case and to ensure that there is safety of civilians. End: For more information, please write to: hudo2009@gmail.com