In the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have conducted violent raids that have forced civilians out of their homes, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the country. The situation has become increasingly dire, with reports of hunger spreading and the signs of a functioning state disappearing in areas controlled by the RSF.
In a harrowing account, Salwa Abdallah recounted how she was recovering from a caesarean section while caring for her one-month-old baby when RSF soldiers invaded her home in New Halfa, located in the eastern El Gezira state. Accusing her of supporting the army, the RSF soldiers threatened her and her family, declaring, “You killed us, so today we’ll kill you and rape your girls.” In fear for their lives, Salwa and her elderly mother, along with her children, fled their village, enduring a treacherous journey on foot for days to reach safety.
Witnesses described how RSF soldiers wielded whips to drive people from their homes and pursued fleeing civilians on motorcycles, firing shots as they went. Activists report that these intense raids have impacted at least 65 villages and towns in eastern Gezira over the past two weeks. According to the United Nations, approximately 135,000 people have been displaced due to the violence, with many seeking refuge in Kassala, Gedaref, and River Nile states, areas already strained by over 11 million internally displaced persons from the conflict that erupted in April 2023.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN’s top official in Sudan, expressed her shock at the human rights violations occurring in El Gezira, reminiscent of atrocities in Darfur last year, which drew accusations of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity from various international entities. The ongoing war has not only led to widespread hunger but has also destroyed the remnants of state functions in RSF-controlled regions, further heightening fears of fragmentation within the country.
Both the RSF and the Sudanese army have been accused of obstructing much-needed international humanitarian aid. In response to inquiries from media outlets, representatives from both factions have not provided immediate comments on the recent violence.
The situation in El Gezira state has deteriorated following a violent looting campaign that erupted after the RSF gained control in December. The defection of the RSF chief in the state sparked a series of retaliatory attacks. According to the Wad Madani Resistance Committee, a pro-democracy group, 169 people have been killed since violence escalated on October 20, with claims of many more casualties.
The UN’s human rights office reported last week that there have been at least 25 instances of sexual violence amid the chaos, including the death of an 11-year-old girl as a result of these attacks. Additionally, the RSF has been accused of confiscating internet devices in at least 30 villages and destroying fields of crops.
The most devastating incident occurred in Al-Sireha, where the committee reported that 124 people were killed on October 25. Disturbing video evidence verified by Reuters depicted RSF soldiers executing men, including many elderly individuals, who were forced to endure humiliating taunts. Another video revealed numerous bodies wrapped in sheets, indicating the scale of the violence.
While the RSF has denied orchestrating these attacks, they claim that the violence in El Gezira stems from the army arming local communities. The Sudanese army has responded by promoting popular resistance campaigns, but there has been little evidence to support claims of widespread civilian arming in the region.
The Sudanese Human Rights Monitor has issued warnings against leaving civilians vulnerable to direct confrontations with the RSF, criticizing the army for failing to fulfill promises to protect the populace.
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