Sudan armed conflict Update: Obstruction of health care, looting, killings and injuring of civilians characterize the violent armed conflict between RSF and SAF

(08 May, 2023) African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) has continued to monitor the armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted on 15 April 2023. We reiterate our calls to SAF and RSF to uphold the rights of civilians, including their right to life. We also call upon the parties to cooperate with regional partners to find a lasting solution to the conflict.

In this report, ACJPS documents incidents and human rights violations and other developments that occurred between 26^th and 29^th April 2023.

Situation in Khartoum

Despite the signing of ceasefire pacts by SAF and RSF, the parties have continued to engage in gunfights with SAF continuously air bombing while RSF deployed its troops in residential areas. Several civilians have been killed as results of the bombings and stray bullets by both SAF and RSF in the neighborhoods of Buri, Alushra, Alhela Aljadida, Alkalaka and Jabel Awlia in Khartoum. Additionally, the areas of Althua Square 11 and Bait Almal in Omdurman have also been targeted.

Looting of property by RSF soldiers and other groups that have taken advantage of the situation is still rampant. The most affected areas in Khartoum are those located at the center, Khartoum 2 and Bahuri neighborhood.

ACJPS was informed by a reliable source that a group of RSF opened gunfire at Gen. Yasir Alatta’s former home in Alfetihab neighborhood, Omdurman. The source added that fortunately Gen. Alatta had shifted and moved to another place a month ago. Gen. Alatta is a General in the Sudanese Army (SAF).

On 27 April 2023, Gen. Mubarak Teih the SAF General Inspector confirmed in a short video clip that he is still under the custody of RSF. The video was released following allegations by SAF affiliates that the general along with other SAF officers had been released. The general and other soldiers were arrested from Almatar neighborhood near SAF headquarters on 15 April 2023. RSF had previously released a video showing that they had captured Gen. Mubarak and he was being treated well. They also released several videos confirming the arrest and good treatment of SAF officers in their custody.

Another video surfaced showing the arrest of Mr. Rami, the RSF command in Port Sudan, Red Sea by RSF on 15 April 2023, on allegations that he had entered into a deal with SAF.  A reliable source informed ACJPS that Rami was arrested from a location area near Khartoum. He was later released from detention.

On 28 April 2023, it was announced that both parties agreed and entered into a ceasefire pact for three (03) days with the intervention of IGAD in Juba, South Sudan.

Situation in Darfur

Since 18 April 2023, the situation in Zalingi remains tense despite the gentleman’s agreement between SAF and RSF. Looting of markets and government institutes still continue. Several dead bodies remain lying in the open near the SAF base. There are also reports of snipers in the South side of the town.

However, the situation is quite different in Elgenina, West Darfur as the area is faced with two kinds of conflict i.e armed conflict between SAF and RSF and inter-tribal conflicts. On 25 April 2023, residents including IDPs accessed firearms. This resulted into an intertribal conflict between Arabs and Masalite tribes in the areas of Altdamoun and Althurah. Between 25 to 27 April 2023, approximately 100 Masalite tribesmen were killed during the conflicts.

On 27 April 2023, Mini Manawi, the commander of Sudanese Liberation Army Movement (SLAM) announced that joint forces of the Juba Peace Agreement will be sent to Elgenina to restore peace. This is yet to be implemented.

State of Emergency

During this reporting period, several Sudanese states announced a state of emergency. These include North Kordofan, North Darfur, Aljazeera and Blue Nile region.

Effects of the armed conflict on the health sector

On 24 April 2023, Doctors Trade Union executive committee announced that RSF had taken control of the National laboratory and that there is a risk of viral and disease spread.

On 25 April 2023, Alromi medical Center located in Althura neighborhood in square 11, Omdurman was bombed, fortunately there were no causalities. Due to the insecurity, the center closed and referred the patients to Al Naw hospital in square 8 in Althura.

On 27 April 2023, Sudanese Doctors Association Executive Committee announced that RSF had taken control of Khartoum Hospital and chased away the medical personnel.

A reliable source informed ACJPS that doctors moving out of Khartoum during the voluntary evacuation process have to be very careful and not disclose their professions at the check points as they risk being captured by the soldiers.

Approximately 11 medical personnel have been killed and several others are missing in Khartoum and Elgenina in West Darfur since the outbreak of the armed conflict.

Release of Prisoners

On 26 April 2023, Gen. Ahmed Alomdah issued a decree ordering the release of 37 prisoners who were detained for violating the emergency decree. The decree was passed following the insecurity situation in Blue Nile due to intertribal conflicts between the Fong and Hausa tribes in June and October 2022.

On 25 April 2023, approximately 750 prisoners escaped from Nyala prison in South Darfur upon the collapse of the prison wall. Approximately 20 prisoners were shot and injured by the prison guards while trying to stop them from escaping.

On 26 April 2023, North Darfur authorities released the prisoners from Shala Federal Prison except those sentenced to death and life imprisonment

Status of National Congress Party (NCP) prisoners

In April 2023, a voice recording by Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Haroun circulated. Mr. Haroun is former vice president of NCP. He is also a former minister in the al Bashir regime and former governor of both North and South Kordofan. Mr. Haroun has been wanted by International Criminal Court (ICC) since 2009 in relation to the Darfur case referred by the Security Council to ICC. In the voice recording, Mr. Haroun stated that he, Ali Osman Mohamed Taha the former vice president and Mr. Awad Ahmed Aljaz the former minister of Finance were transferred from Kober prison where they were serving following the fall of NCP from power in April 2019 to safe place where they are being guarded by three prison guards. The prisoners were transferred due to power shortage in the prison following the outbreak of the armed conflict between RSF and SAF. He added that they will be able to protect themselves. He also called upon NCP affiliates to Support SAF. Mr. Haroun also mentioned that they have witnessed the gun exchange between the parties while in prison and that it targeted prisoners. Both SAF and police forces have accused RSF of attacking the prison while RSF denied the allegations stating that they have no interest in prisons whatsoever.

List of People killed

Khartoum State

1. Yasser Bashir (m) from Buri neighborhood in Khartoum, killed by a bomb at his home
2. An unidentified male. Succumbed to injuries in Alnhdah “Alengaz” neighborhood in Khartoum
3. Talha Didiq Osman (m), aged 30 from Omdurman Tawidat Bait Almal. Killed by bullet
4. Ahmed Ibrahim Osman (m), aged 24 from Tawidat Bait Almal
5. Ayman Yahiya (m) from Jabel Awlia neighborhood in Khartoum
6. Ibrahim Babkir Isa (m) from Omdurman Alsaha Jaden neighborhood in square 5
7. Nadia Ali Alfaki (f) from Alryad neighborhood in Khartoum. Killed by a bomb thrown at her house
8. Asad Ahmed Abdul Rahman (m) from Alfetihab neighborhood of Omdurman
9. Aymen Yahiya (m) from Alhela Aljadidah neighborhood in Khartoum
10. Ragam Allah Suliman (m) from Alhela Aljadidah neighborhood in Khartoum
11. Hamid Alsharuf Musa (m) from Alhela Aljadidah neighborhood in Khartoum

West Darfur State

12. Adam Al-Douma (m), aged 46 a sonographer and a radiologist
13. Yassin Mohamed (m), aged 28
14. Ismail Mohamed (m) Aged 32 from Aljbal neighborhood in Elgenina
15. Mohamed Bashir Awad (m), aged 25
16. Mutaz Mohamed Abdul Jalil (m), aged 28
17. Ashraf Abakar Adam (m), aged 28 from Altdamon neighborhood. He was shot in the head
18. Asim Ibrahim Yagoup (m), aged 32. He was shot from Altdamon neighborhood in Elgenina
19. Elteyb Adam Elsheikh (m), aged 28 from Altadamon neighborhood
20. Ibrahim Abdul Gadir Yagoup (m), aged 29 from Altadamon neighborhood in Elgenina
21. Hussien Fadul (m), aged 29 from Altadamon neighborhood in Elgenina
22. Hatim Juma (m), aged 13 from Altadamon neighborhood in Elgenina
23. Hind Suliman Adam Bakhit (f), aged 43 from Altadamon neighborhood in Elgenina
24. Rawia Ibrahim (f), aged 19 from Altadamon neighborhood in Elgenina
25. Awah Hussien Algali (f), aged 27. She was shot in the stomach. From Altadamon neighborhood in Elgenina
26. Alsyed Suliman (m), aged 20, shot in the chest
27. Ibrahim Abakar (m), aged 33, shot in the chest.
28. Ahmed Mohamed Eltahir (m), aged 19, shot in the head
29. Mohamed AL Mustafa Ibrahim (m), aged 20, Shot in the Chest
30. Algali Ibrahim Algali (m), aged 40. His body was burnt
31. Ream Algali Ibrahim (f) 26 aged 26. Her body was burnt
32. Ibrahim Algali Ibrahim (m), aged 18
33. Alsawi Omran (m), aged 26
34. Ibrahim Karam Eldien (m), aged 16
35. Alnnor Hamed Alnoor (m), aged 33
36. Mutwakik Karam Eldien (m), aged 29
37. Arabi Saleh Abakar (m), aged 12
38. Yagoup Suliman (m), aged 29
39. Yagoup Abdallah (m), aged 20
40. Salam Ibrahim (f), aged 30
41. Kathirah Abakar (f), aged 75
42. Saud Adam (f), aged 30
43. Rabih Suliman Taha (m), aged 21
44. Salah Adam Bakhit (m), aged 12
45. Rabiaa Khalid Bashar (f), aged 27
46. Omran Adam Eltahir(m), aged 49
47. Yunus Ahmed Isa (m), aged 35
48. Mohamed Badawi Hassan (m), aged 32
49. Zakary Abdallah Atim (m), aged 38
50. Hassin Mohamed Najem (m), aged 40
51. Mohamed Hamed Abu Samarah (m), aged 29
52. Ahmed Ariga (m), aged 37 from Almajlis neighborhood in Elgenina
53. Mohamed Ariga (m), aged 30 from Almajlis neighborhood in Elgenina

Background of the armed conflict

In June 2017, former President Omer Al-Bashir issued a decree for the collection of weapons and regulation of vehicles crossing the border into Sudan. The decree was aimed at disarming armed groups. A month later on 19 July 2017, another decree was issued which included the paramilitary RSF to implement the disarmament. RSF quickly used this opportunity and dismantled the Boarder Guard Forces established in 2003 under the command of Musa Hilal. RSF arrested Mr. Hilal along with 293 affiliates from their base in Mistriha, North Darfur. They were then transferred to SAF prison in Khartoum.

On 19 December 2019, one day after the outbreak of the revolution in Sudan, RSF troops arrived from Darfur where they had established a military base in Zurouq. RSF commander, general Hemeti announced that he would not intervene in attacks against peaceful protesters unlike other forces. Upon his arrival in Khartoum General Hemeti announced that tanks and heavy advanced military equipment belonging to SAF had been ceased and under their control as part of the disarmament program.

Hemeti later stated that former President Al-Bashir ordered him together with other NCP military and Security leaders to launch an attack against peaceful protesters. Although he did not openly object, he went ahead and joined some Military commanders from NCP like Gen. Awad Ben Awuf who then resolved to overthrow Al-Bashir

Gen. Al-Burhan spent most of his time in service with SAF in Darfur. He was the Governor of Zalingi during the period when rebel groups launched attacks in Darfur as they attempted to control the state and lure Gen. Al-Burhan into joining the Sudanese Transitional Military Council. The plot against Al-Burhan continued as he was framed for the brutal attack on pro-democracy protesters 03 June 2019 in Khartoum.

The tension between Gen. Al-Burhan and Hemeti continued brewing and this can be seen from the attempted coup on 11 September 2021. Hemeti later decided to join Al-Burhan and overthrew the transitional government on 25 October, 2019 with the intension to push his own agenda.

The former Sudanese Prime Minister, Mr. Abdallah Hamdook then started introducing talks of military integration by organizing meetings with RSF at the headquarters in August 2021 but this was rejected by Hemeti.

On 26 September 2021, Hemeti issued a statement stating that those behind attempted coup on 21 September are the same people behind the past failed coups referring to NCP officers within SAF and their regional alliances. A group of SAF officers were arrested after the attempted coup and arraigned before the military court in Khartoum. They also confessed that their motive was to remove RSF from power.

In July 2022, talks about the integration of RSF into the Sudanese army resurfaced with UNITAMS facilitating the discussions but Hemeti still rejected the proposal. He instead travelled from Khartoum to West Darfur to attempt and solve the insecurity problem in Darfur. While in Darfur, Hemeti visited Zurg military base. One of the biggest causes of conflict between himself and Al-Burhan. Since May 2019, all insecurity incidents across Sudan were as a result of an attempt to deploy RSF away from Khartoum.

In June 2022, Hemeti withdrew all his soldiers guarding bridges in Khartoum and did not intervene when joint forces attacked peaceful protesters during rallies, a move similar to what happened on 21 September 2021.

The silent conflict between Al-Burhan and Hemeti then intensified overtime due to personal greed for power and control. Al-Burhan intended to have control of RSF while Hemeti on the other hand was using Al-Burhan and Alkabashi to eventually get to power. In the event of an integration, Hemeti planned to have control of the army through appointing officers loyal to RSF in top positions.

In conclusion, what happened on 15 April 2023 was like hot lava only waiting to erupt. This can be evidenced from the series of events leading up to the current violent armed conflict.