Harare (New Ziana)-The Zimbabwean embassy in Sudan was raided by fighting forces in what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has described as an act of criminality.
In a statement, spokesperson Livit Mugejo said the criminals targeted the chancery and other diplomatic missions in Sudan because there was no one following an evacuation sometime this year when the war in that country started.
“Yes, I can confirm our properties in Sudan were destroyed by some of the fighting forces in the country taking advantage of the fact that we evacuated our people and taking advantage of the current war going on there,” he said.
“It’s not only Zimbabwe but most of the countries. We have reports that most of the country’s properties were also targeted. It’s sheer criminality taking advantage of the war to loot properties of our diplomats and the properties of our embassies there. This is the unfortunate incident which is happening in Sudan.”
In a tweet on Monday, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and urged the international community to also speak against the ‘terrorist and criminal behaviour.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns in the strongest terms the rapid support militia’s storming of the embassy and the home of the Zimbabwean ambassador, and the theft of valuables, in flagrant violation of international norms and laws concerned with the sanctity and protection of the headquarters and property of diplomatic missions. The Ministry calls on the international community to condemn the terrorist and criminal behaviour of the militia,” it said.
Sudan is currently on a 72-hour ceasefire aimed at calming more than two months of conflict between rival military factions.
The Sudanese army and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have agreed to refrain from attacks and from seeking military advantage during the ceasefire period as well as allowing for delivery of aid, Saudi and United States mediators said at the weekend.
Several previous truces have failed to stop the fighting.
The conflict, which erupted over disputes about a plan for a transition to elections under a civilian government four years after long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir was overthrown during a popular uprising, has intensified since early June.
The United Nations Organisation says more than half the population of 49 million now needs humanitarian assistance within Sudan, requiring some $3 billion in funding until the end of the year.
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