Shelling and a rain of bullets in Nyala, South Darfur

(20 November 2023) The fight between the Sudanese Army (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in South Darfur has intensified with trends similar to those in Khartoum where SAF uses the tactic of shelling in areas around their base without actually leaving the base. This is done on suspicion that RSF occupied residences of civilians neighboring the SAF base with the intension to attack.

Unfortunately, Nyala is among the towns that have been cut off from the rest of the world as internet service has been off since 12 August 2023. This is similar to the situation in Zalingi in Central Darfur and Elgenina in West Darfur where internet has been off since 20 May and 17 May, 2023 respectively. Although MTN telecommunication company restored the Short Message Service (SMS) and Zain telecommunication company also restored some services on 09 September 2023, the network is very poor. This unjustified black out prompted ACJPS to carry out an investigation and find out how the armed conflict has affected not only Nyala but South Darfur in general.

The state has witnessed various human rights violations by both SAF and RSF that includes but not limited to obstruction of the right to information, killing of approximately 200 civilians and injuring hundreds, arbitrary arrest of at least 34 persons, abduction of “the rich” and demanding ransom and the recruitment of at least 20 child soldiers, three cases of extrajudicial killings among other violations. The health sector in South Darfur has greatly deteriorated with only one functioning health facility in Aluhda neighborhood which is operating with inadequate medical supplies. The armed conflict has also led to the exodus of approximately 200,000 families to Elfashir in North Darfur, Aldeain in East Darfur, Kosti in White Nile and neighboring countries like South Sudan, Kenya, Chad and Uganda. The North Darfur State Government (NDSG) confirmed that the IDPs from South to North Darfur are being hosted in schools temporarily.

In this detailed report, ACJPS has documented incidents of violations and testimonies of victims of violations in the hands of the SAF and RSF.

To read full report Click here

This post is also available in: Arabic