Hamas urges Sudan to secure Palestinian assets

Hamas urges Sudan to secure Palestinian assets
Hamas' statement comes after reports on Thursday that Sudan moved to seize the assets of the Palestinian faction, which had long used the country as a haven under the rule of deposed president Omar al-Bashir.
2 min read
25 September, 2021
Sudan had long been a safe haven for Hamas under the rule of Omar al-Bashir [Getty]

Hamas has urged Sudanese authorities to protect the assets of Palestinians based in the country amid moves by Khartoum to clamp down on assets used to fund the Gaza-based group.

The statement comes following reports on Thursday that Sudan moved to seize the assets of the Palestinian faction, which had used the country as a haven under the rule of deposed president Omar al-Bashir.

"We appeal to the head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok to intervene personally to stop abuses against Palestinians in Sudan regarding the confiscation of their legally acquired investments, homes, personal funds and companies, with the knowledge and approval of Sudanese state institutions," Hamas said in a statement quoted by Anadolu.

Hamas has denied ownership of the assets seized by Khartoum.

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"The assets mentioned in the media reports are owned by Palestinian businessmen and investors, who have no organizational connection with the movement," Hamas said, emphasising historical ties between the Palestinian cause and Sudan.

Last year, Sudan was among four Arab states which normalised relations with Israel, despite public and international opposition.

The deal was brokered by the United States, which also removed Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terror following the deal.

Sudan was among four Arab states that normalised their relations with Israel last year despite local resistance against the move slammed by much of the Arab nations as an act of "betrayal".

The Arab states' normalisation with Israel was also rejected by all Palestinian factions, who described the move as a "betrayal of the Palestinian cause".