Directive to File Complaints Over Forest Encroachments

During his tour of the states, Forests Director, Agricultural Engineer Musa Suleiman Al-Saffouri, assessed the extent of damage and encroachment on forests. He instructed the directors of the affected forests to file legal complaints over encroachment and destruction, and formed a committee to assess the damage inflicted on the assets of the National Forest Authority and the forest resources, as well as to prepare a general framework for reconstruction project proposals.

Agricultural Engineer Mohammed Othman Abkar, Director of Forests in Sennar State, stated that most localities in the state had been visited and the extent of the damage from the blatant encroachment was observed. He noted that legal complaints were filed, and damage assessments were carried out by the concerned authorities. A detailed report was also prepared on the current situation of Sennar State’s forests, covering fixed and movable assets, equipment, furniture, and forest resources after the blatant assault by the Rapid Support Forces on the state.

He indicated that 75% of the furniture at the Forests Headquarters in Sennar was stolen, with a large portion of the remaining items destroyed. The losses included stolen computers and printers, and in cases where computers remained, the hard drives were stolen, resulting in the loss of all stored and archived data.

Regarding the forest resources, he explained that the forests were excessively cut down and cleared due to the urgent need for firewood, as gas and electricity had been unavailable for over six months. Additionally, residents of villages surrounding the forests turned to the trees as a primary source of income during a time of extreme hardship, which led to the loss of a large portion of the forest resources. Although this helped meet citizens’ energy needs under the current conditions, as well as supported the armed forces and allied security units with building materials and firewood, he emphasized that some groups also exploited the situation for personal gain—engaging in illegal logging and theft for commercial purposes. For example, the Shambatta Forest within the Northern Sennar Forests jurisdiction was completely removed.

He added that several Nile forests and Al-Dhahra forests still have unknown conditions due to the security situation, which prevents access to them.