Widespread Criticism of the Agricultural Bank’s Arrest of Farmers in Gedaref

The Farmers’ Union of Mafaza criticized the timing of the arrests of farmers in Gedaref after they were unable to repay their debts.

A statement issued by the union acknowledged that the previous debts are due and that debt does not expire by statute of limitations, but argued that the timing was inappropriate due to the weak productivity of sesame crops, suggesting that repayment could occur after the harvest of the snacks crop, which is expected to yield well this season.

The Agricultural Bank in Mafaza, Gedaref State, conducted a widespread campaign of arrests among farmers in Mafaza locality for failing to repay loans, an action that many farmers considered to be an abuse of power by the bank’s administration. They pointed out that the arrests hinder the harvest process and that repayment should happen after the completion of the maize and snacks harvest.

Farmers emphasized that the recent actions of the bank’s administration threaten the success of the harvest, especially given the country’s ongoing war conditions, which have reduced agricultural areas in several states, making a successful harvest crucial for achieving food security.

A statement from the Mafaza farmers condemned the arrests and their timing, which obstruct farmers’ movement and prevents them from completing their harvest. They called on the Agricultural Bank’s senior management to stop the arrests to avoid negatively impacting the harvest process.