Authorities affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have arrested several land brokers in Nyala, South Darfur, following complaints from residents over the alleged sale and allocation of public land, local Sudanese media reported.
The arrests follow a decision by the TASIS administration to annul all land-related procedures carried out in the city since Sudan’s war began on April 15, 2023. The measure has prompted residents to pursue legal action to reclaim public spaces.
Nyala resident Ibrahim Abdelmajid said on Saturday that federal police and investigators had arrested a land broker identified as Mohamed Hassan the previous week.
Hassan is accused of involvement in allocating plots within a public space reserved for a kindergarten and youth club in Al-Wahda neighbourhood, in southern Nyala. Abdelmajid said the investigation led to the arrest of three other brokers.
Local sources said authorities had evidence suggesting that land administration employees collaborated with the brokers in allocating public spaces.
In a separate account, resident Ismail Digeish said federal police arrested a broker after he filed a complaint over a plot he had purchased.
Digeish said the broker had presented the land as legally compliant. However, checks conducted following the authorities’ decision revealed that the plot was part of a public space.
The cancellation of wartime land procedures has generated widespread activity among Nyala residents seeking to recover areas allegedly seized or sold without authorisation.
Land dealings have become a major source of controversy in the city, with local media reporting that brokers worked with influential figures in the land administration to allocate public spaces and government reserve land.
Government officials also remain in RSF detention over allegations linked to land dealings, according to the reports.
Previous local media investigations have documented alleged land-related abuses involving officials in the RSF-affiliated civilian administration in South Darfur.
