HUDO Centre Date: 28th January 2024 No.: H.K/UA/02/024 URGENT APPEAL SAF ARRESTED TWO FAMILY MEMBERS IN TALODI, SUDAN On 6th and 12th January 2024, Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers arrested two family members in Talodi under circumstances relating to Altegola Goldmine. One was arrested for claiming ownership of a well in the goldmine and another was arrested for attempting to visit the detained relative. They are still held incommunicado in Talodi military barracks. On 6th January 2024, armed soldiers from Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) arrested Mr. Hassan Adam Abker from Altegola Goldmine. This was after the dispute of ownership of well between SAF officer and Mr. Hassan Adam Abker. The SAF officer claimed to own the well which belonged to the victim. The following day (7th January 2024) Mr. Hassan was released on condition that he has to accept that his goldmine (well) belonged to the SAF officer. After his release, he refused and insisted that the well is his. On 8th January 2024, he was arrested again and held incommunicado at Talodi SAF garrison. On 12th January 2024, Mr. Ali Jibril (Hassan’s cousin) attempted to visit Hassan but, he was arrested on arrival at the Talodi military garrison. Since then, both of them have been held incommunicado. An activist from Talodi said that; “SAF soldiers used to intimidate civilians particularly those who are successful with business at the goldmines like traders, jewelers and the well owners. They threaten to arrest them and sometimes they arrest them and ask for ransom before releasing them. They falsely accuse them of causing insecurity. Recently, SAF was targeting the Darfurians accusing them of being connected to RSF”. HUDO Centre is concerned about the safety of civilians in Sudan during this difficult period of fighting between (SAF) and RSF and calls for the following:  The Sudan Armed Force in Talodi to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Hassan and Mr. Jibril or refer them to the court of law if there is a genuine case against them.  The commander of SAF in South Kordofan state/ Nuba Mountains to investigate the circumstances that led to the arrest of Mr. Hassan Adam and Mr. Jibril and make the findings public.  The Sudan Armed Forces to stop the arrest of civilians.