Hamas calls for protection of Palestinian assets in Sudan

GAZA CITY, Palestine

Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has called on Sudanese leaders to protect the assets of Palestinians living in the country.

“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.

Media reports emerged Thursday that Sudanese authorities have seized “lucrative assets that for years provided backing for Hamas” during the reign of former leader Omar al-Bashir.

However, Hamas denied any link between the movement and the ownership of the confiscated assets.

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

The Sudanese authorities have yet to make an official comment on the matter.

Hamas recalled the historical relationship between the Sudanese people and the Palestinians and the support of the successive Sudanese governments to the Palestinian cause.

Sudan was among four Arab nations that normalized their relations with Israel last year despite local resistance against the move described by Palestinians as an act of “betrayal.”

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar