Amid the ongoing fighting in Sudan since April 15, reports of street gangs looting and assaulting civilians, especially in Khartoum and two nearby towns, have emerged. These gangs, known as the "Niqez", have a long-standing presence in the country. However, both conflicting parties in Sudan are now taking measures to arrest and publicly shame gang members to improve their image among civilians, according to our Observer.
"Niqez", an Arabicised pronunciation of a common racial slur, is how they've come to be known. The gangs have been wreaking havoc in Sudan since the 2003 armed conflict in Darfur, reemerging during periods of instability, such as the 2011 and 2019 protests against former President Omar al-Bashir, the 2021 military coup d'état, and the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) vying for power over the country.
