South Darfur: Urgent call for investigations into the killing of a 55-year-old woman by armed militia

(11 August 2021) Sudanese authorities should urgently ensure an immediate, impartial, and effective investigation into the killing of Ms Zahra Yahya Adam Khareef, a 55-year-old woman in Nyala city, South Darfur and the injury of her daughter. Those responsible for the killing and injury must be identified and held accountable.

On Saturday 7 August 2021, about 5 armed men attacked the deceased and her daughter while on her farm in the area of Amaka Sara, West of the city of Nyala in South Darfur. A relaiable source informed ACJPS that the deceased was shot with a machine gun by one of the men when she resisted being raped by the militia whilst her daughter was severely beaten and assulted.

The deceased was a displaced person residing in Kalma IDP camp at the center No 5. She had returned to her village in Amaka Sara to farm during the current rainy season and secure food for her family due to lack of food in the camp. The incident has been reported to a police station in Bilil locality but the perpetrators have not been arrested yet.

There have been increased arbitrary attacks against civilians by armed groups in Darfur region following the exit of United Nations-African Union hybrid peacekeeping mission (UNAMID). United Nations Security Council ended the mandate of UNAMID and it ceased operation on 31 December 2020.  The Government of Sudan which took on the responsibility of providing security in region has since failed to protect citizens from these arbitrary attacks by the militia.

ACJPS condemns arbitrary attacks against civilians in Darfur region and calls on the transitional government to:

• Immediately launch an independent, impartial and thorough investigation into the murder and attempted rape of Ms Zahra Yahya Adam Khareef and the assault of her daughter with the intention to hold the perpetrators to account and provide an effective remedy to the victims.
• Officially and publicly condemn these arbitrary attacks, unlawful killings, sexual violence and injury and make it clear that these acts are absolutely prohibited, and perpetrators will be held to account.
• To immediately put in place measures to protect civilians especially women and children in the Darfur region. Put in place tightened restrictions on the use and supply of arms and ammunitions, and a concerted effort to control arms and ammunition in the region should be launched, as well as controls over the use of ammunition and the presence of militias and weapons in public places.
• Ensure access to essential services particularly health services, food and water.

Background 

ACJPS has documented several violent attacks by armed militias against civilians across Darfur region between 2019 and 2021. Investigations into these previous attacks by Sudanese authorities have not led to any prosecution, we urge the Sudanese authorities to provide justice for the people of Darfur affected by the violence by holding those responsible accountable.

On 31 July 2021, ACJPS documented an incident where one person was killed and 4 others wounded after an attack by armed militias in Tawila locality, North Darfur state. From 24-25 January 2021, ACJPS documented two incidents involving attacks on civilians in villages in East Jebel Marra in South Darfur and Tawila locality in North Darfur. These attacks have left tens of civilians dead, injured, missing and displaced thousands.

For years, armed pastoralists in Darfur region have targeted IDPs by releasing their livestock on the farms to disrupt their agricultural crops. These militiamen have become a real threat to the agricultural season, especially as it is their custom to attack all those who go out to cultivate their land and get their livestock by force of arms on the farms. The affected civilians have called on the authorities to intervene and expel the armed pastoralists so that they can cultivate their farms. However, violence has continued as the occupying militants refuse to leave the farms and continue to attack farmers.

For further information, contact Mossaad Mohamed Ali at: mossaad.ali@acjps.org