By : Lloyd Mahachi
A devastating wave of mass killings has struck Sudan, prompting alarm from the United Nations. The conflict in Gezira state has forced countless civilians to flee their homes, with reports indicating that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have committed “atrocious crimes” against civilians, including mass killings, rape, and widespread looting.
According to Clementine Nkweta-Salami, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, preliminary reports suggest that the RSF carried out a major attack across Gezira state between October 20-25, resulting in scores of deaths. This situation bears unsettling resemblance to the ethnic cleansing that occurred in Sudan’s Darfur region last year, where the RSF was accused of targeting communities opposed to them.
The RSF has denied targeting civilians, instead claiming that they are clashing with militias armed by the military. However, activist groups report that at least 124 people have been killed by the RSF in village attacks over the past week. The Wad Madani Resistance Committee has described the situation as “extensive massacres in one village after another.”
The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023, following a fallout between RSF commander Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and military commander Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who had jointly staged a coup in 2021. Despite efforts by the US and Saudi Arabia to broker a peace deal, the two leaders have refused to sign, perpetuating a vicious power struggle.
The humanitarian situation remains dire, with over 11 million people displaced due to the conflict. The UN has called for safe humanitarian corridors to be established, while the Sudanese doctors’ union has urged the international community to intervene. The ongoing violence continues to hinder humanitarian efforts, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire.
The key developments in this crisis include reports of mass killings, rape, and widespread looting by the RSF, massive displacement, and a pressing need for international intervention. The situation in Sudan demands urgent attention and action to protect civilians and restore stability.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi