January 28, 2025 Report: Darfur24 The areas cultivated with drug plant known as “bango” have expanded in Darfur region of western Sudan, with distribution and marketing spreading within cities controlled by RSF, according to “Darfur24.”
Sources previously working in drug control in South Darfur State said that some drug dealers joined RSF after the ongoing war broke out and began operating under the protection of their weapons. Former drug control officers have also turned into dealers, cultivating and promoting “bango.”
Drug dealers and users have become more open in their activities in Nyala and El-Daein, as observed by “Darfur24.” Sources confirmed that the same is happening in RSF-controlled areas in Khartoum and El-Gezirah, with less prevalence in Sudanese Army-controlled areas, especially in Omdurman.
Sources speaking to “Darfur24” believe that the expansion of drug cultivation and distribution across wide areas of the country supports the hypothesis that it has become a resource for funding the ongoing war between the Sudanese Army and RSF, now nearing its third year with no end in sight.
Cultivation and Funding
A drug control officer in South Darfur State, the main producer of “bango” in Sudan, confirmed that the cultivated areas of “bango” in the Radom area in the south of the state have doubled over the past 20 months.
The officer, who requested anonymity, told “Darfur24” that the cultivated areas have doubled due to new farmers entering the cultivation and promotion of the drug after the withdrawal of police forces that were working in drug control.
He noted that South Darfur State police estimated the cultivated area of “bango” in Radom in 2022 at about 20,000 acres, concentrated in a rugged area along the border with South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
According to the drug control officer, RSF leaders funded farmers in the southern Radom areas in exchange for equal profit sharing. Several drug control officers and other military personnel turned into farmers and dealers after their wages stopped due to the war.
The source revealed that he was threatened by a drug dealer who recently joined RSF and is currently promoting drugs in El-Geneina market in Nyala, saying, “You used to arrest and prosecute us, now if you’re a man, come to the Bango market to learn something.”
From Gold to Hashish
The police officer’s statement matched that of “Abu Mohammed,” a pseudonym for a local community leader in Radom area, who confirmed that RSF military leaders have entered drug cultivation and trade, facilitating its transport to marketing areas, including Army-controlled sites where drugs yield significant profits.
RSF facilitated drug transport, now using four-wheel-drive vehicles instead of animals, bicycles, and motorcycles used before the war.
Drug control was not a priority for RSF, despite its open practice in markets. Darfur courts established by RSF have not seen any drug-related cases.
The officer added that “after withdrawal of drug control police points that were spread in areas like Kafia Ganji, Kafn Dibi, and south of Radom, farmers found comfort in cultivation, with fields extending into populated areas.”
“Abu Mohammed” told “Darfur24” that the ongoing war motivated gold miners in the neighboring Songo mines to abandon mining and work in “hashish” cultivation, especially during the rainy season when mining operations halt due to rain.
Commercial Hub
In East Darfur State, known as a transit point for “bango” shipments heading to eastern Sudan, its capital El-Daein has become an important commercial center for drugs after the war, receiving them easily from production areas and passing them to consumption areas in the north and east of the country.
In December, the head of the Community Initiative to Combat Negative Phenomena in East Darfur State, Osman Masbal, warned of the danger of drug spread in the city’s markets under RSF control.
In a public speech for the initiative in El-Daein, Masbal pointed out that drugs and tramadol pills are openly sold in markets, especially in “Dalaiba and Al-Shahinat” markets within the city.
The Head of the initiative questioned, “Everything happening in RSF-controlled areas is repeated in Army-controlled areas,” reflecting the inability of those managing the country and confirming their lack of security, political, and economic capabilities, according to him.
The situation is not much different in South Darfur State, where a former drug dealer in Nyala noted that buying and selling used to be done secretly and outside the city, with storage in several neighborhoods to avoid raids, due to surveillance and informants throughout the state.
Rising Prices
The dealer, who requested anonymity, told “Darfur24” that “today, trade is conducted openly in El-Mawashi markets, El-Geneina station, Gadra, El-Jabal market, and the popular market, in all localities without any intervention from RSF.”
He noted that drug prices have risen despite availability and expanded safety for promoters, attributing it to increased demand among young users and fighters and ease of transport to other markets.
Regarding drug prices, “Darfur24” confirmed from multiple sources that the price of Hilal Grade One falta bundle has risen to 20,000 pounds from 7 pounds before the war, while Grade Two sells for 12,000 pounds.
The Ministry of Interior used to send a large police force annually, in coordination with the 16th Infantry Division in Nyala, to Radom areas during the hashish harvest season to destroy the farms by setting them on fire.
Radom Locality, known for hashish cultivation, is located in South Darfur State, 380 km from the state capital, Nyala, on the border with South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
Radom is the most important area for “bango” hashish cultivation, with the planting season starting in June each year and harvesting after three months.