Khartoum’s Debris…!!
By Al-Tahir Satti
:: While everyone is focused on defeating the Dagalo militia and mercenaries, the Nile River State police are unable to focus even on tackling the “9 Long” gangs, instead issuing a series of warnings that reflect their weakness in the face of these gangs…!!
:: Consider the warnings from the Nile River State police: avoid walking alone, steer clear of deserted streets, don’t respond to any stranger offering help, and report immediately if you feel like you’re being followed…!!
:: These tips are no different from the advice of the village elder who gave a hunter a charm to protect him from lions. He told him: “Now the lion won’t see you; if it sees you, it won’t attack you; and if it attacks you, God willing, it won’t benefit from eating you”…!!
:: “9 Long” is nothing more than a motorcycle ridden by two people — one drives while the other snatches the victim’s phone or bag before fleeing. It’s a phenomenon that began in Khartoum, spread to Atbara, and flourished in the favorable environment there…!!
:: The Nile River State government doesn’t seem to understand that the strength of the law and the enforcement of its agencies — including the police, prosecutors, and courts — are what give the authorities their prestige and protect society’s safety and security…!!
:: Moreover, unless the law is fair and applies equally to both the military and civilians, society will remain at risk. There’s no value in laws that differentiate between the military and civilians, treating one fairly while overlooking the other…!!
:: Therefore, first, a campaign involving all security forces should be launched to inspect motorcycles, identify their owners, and check their papers and licenses, confiscating stolen and illegal ones without exception…!!
:: Second, and more importantly, there should be a complete and unconditional ban on carrying passengers on motorcycles, with a financial penalty for violations. Motorcycles are designed and licensed to carry only one person — the driver — nothing more…!!
:: Third, those who feel immune to punishment will misbehave. The reason gangs have settled in Atbara and spread to the point of intimidating the police themselves is because they’ve found the security apparatus weak or complicit with crime…!!
:: In Brazil, they fought the “9 Long” phenomenon by giving communities the right to defend their members by any means necessary — even illegal ones. They would chase down, kill, or run over gang members with their cars until they eliminated them…!!
:: May God have mercy on Nimeiri… When his courts began cutting off hands and feet, some people quickly dismantled their stolen house structures, returned stolen railroad ties, and replaced stolen streetlight poles — and they did so out of fear…!!
