Al-Junaynah/Tawila, July 15 (Darfur24)
The Sudan Founding Alliance (TASIS) on Tuesday called for an independent international investigation into allegations of chemical weapons use in Sudan. At the same time, sources said the alliance’s government has also sought a share of revenues collected from markets and humanitarian activities in Tawila, North Darfur.
In a statement, TASIS described the alleged use of internationally banned chemical weapons against civilians in Khartoum, Al Jazirah, Kordofan, and Darfur as a grave violation of international humanitarian law and the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The alliance urged the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to take measures provided under the convention, including considering the suspension of certain rights and privileges of the Sudanese authorities within the organisation if they are found responsible.
It also called for urgent international action to identify, secure, and destroy any remaining chemical weapons stockpiles in accordance with international standards to prevent their future use.
Ta’sis further urged the UN Security Council to establish an independent international mission to investigate the allegations, hold those responsible accountable, and oversee the disposal of any chemical weapons stockpiles.
Meanwhile, a senior source in the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), led by Abdul Wahid Mohamed Nour, told Darfur24 that officials affiliated with the TASIS government had requested a share of the revenues generated from markets and humanitarian activities in the Tawila locality.
The source said the request included a share of market revenues and fees collected from humanitarian organisations, with the government arguing that it contributes to protecting displacement sites in the area.
According to the source, the same officials invited international humanitarian organisations to a meeting on Monday in Korma, an area controlled by the Sudan Liberation Movement–Transitional Council, led by Al-Hadi Idris, governor of the Darfur region under the peace government. The agenda of the meeting was not disclosed.
The Sudan Liberation Movement currently collects fees on markets, humanitarian activities, work permits, licences, and the movement of goods within areas under its control.
In a related development, another source in the movement said Rapid Support Forces units stationed in the Tabit area had also demanded a share of revenues collected at the Qirbus gate, the Federal Police gate in Tarni, and the outer checkpoint leading to Tabit.
Tensions in Tawila nearly escalated into armed confrontation in March between forces loyal to Abdul Wahid Mohamed Nour and the Sudan Liberation Alliance led by Al-Tahir Hajar after the movement accused Hajar’s forces of facilitating drug trafficking in the area.