Darfur: Security continues to deteriorate amidst surge of arbitrary attacks against civilians

(26 February 2022) African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) expresses deep concern about the surge of targeted attacks by armed militia against civilians in the Darfur region.  From 15 December 2021 to 17 February 2022, ACJPS documented twenty incidents involving attacks on civilians in North, West, South and Central Darfur. These attacks have left tens of civilians dead and injured. Two of these attacks involved sexual violence against three girls aged between 9 and 13 by armed men including one who was wearing a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) uniform. ACJPS has also documented two incidents of looting at the World Food Program warehouse and United Nation and African Union joint Mission to Darfur (UNAMID) headquarter.

ACJPS condemns arbitrary attacks against civilians in Darfur region and calls on Sudanese authorities to immediately put in place measures to protect civilians throughout Darfur.

We further call on Sudanese authorities to:

• Officially and publicly condemn these arbitrary attacks, unlawful killings and injury and make it clear that these acts are absolutely prohibited, and perpetrators will be held to account.
• Launch an independent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attacks in Darfur and guarantee that their findings are published promptly and within a clear timeframe. This investigation should also address conflict-related gender-based violence.
• To immediately prioritize the protection of civilians in 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 that police and law enforcement officers are deployed in the area to ensure security.

ACJPS further calls on the international community to prioritize the protection of civilians and security situation in Darfur and deploy resources to ensure the protection of civilians in the region and assist with independent and impartial investigations of human rights violations with an aim of ensuring accountability.

 

Attacks in North Darfur

On 24 December 2021, joint security forces including Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Rapid Support Forces(RSF), police officers and forces of the Juba Peace Agreement tasked to guard former United Nation and African Union joint Mission to Darfur (UNAMID) headquarter looted the facility. The facility was handed over to the government of North Darfur after the withdrawal of UNAMID by the UN Security Council in December 2020. ACJPS has been reliably informed that civilians also participated in the looting after the forces left the gate of the facility open. Vehicles were looted among other items.

On 27 January 2022, unknown armed men raided the residence of Mr. Fasial Mohamed Ismail in Silk IDP camp located in Korma locality in North Darfur. He was shot and injured, and later passed on the following day from Elfashir Hospital where he was receiving medical treatment.

On 29 December 2021, armed men in six land cruiser vehicles and another group led by militia leader, Issa Almasih looted the World Food Program warehouse. The looters also exchanged gunfire with the guards of North Darfur Ministry of Education and Zakkat Islamic Foundation located in the vicinity of the warehouse. ACJPS has been reliably informed that civilians also participated in the looting after the gate was left open by the looters.  After the incident, the North Darfur governor, general Nimier Abdul Rahman announced that a committee was established to investigate the incident. ACJPS has been reliably informed that at least 15 suspects were arrested, charged and detained in Shalla Prison in North Darfur.

On 10 January 2022, the same group plus civilians looted the facility again. Following this second incident, the North Darfur governor issued decree that announced a curfew in Elfashir town from 06:00pm to 05:00am.

On 5 January 2022, Ms. Hawa Mohamed Abdul Rahman, a 37-year-old IDP was shot in the feet after she was attacked by three unknown men armed with automatic guns. The armed men had tried to steal her donkey. She was transferred to Elfashir hospital and a criminal case was filed at Tawilla Police Station against the unknown perpetrators.

On 6 January 2022, a group of armed men shot and injured six men and two girls between kurku market and Malisie area in Eastern Sraf Omra, and looted all their belongings. All the injured were taken to Zalingi Hospital in Central Darfur for medical treatment. Their names are:

From old Malisie village

1. Youssef Abdul Jabar Mohamed, sustained a beg broken
2. Latfia Adam (f), 12
3. Abdul Majid Abakar Toor, 22
4. Adam Issa Ahmed, 30,
5. Latfia Adam (f), 12
6. Abdul Majid Abakar Toor, 22

From old Numairi village

7. Osman Abdallah zain, 20
8. Adam Alzain Adam, 35

On 12 January 2022, three men riding on motorcycles and armed with automatic guns shot rampantly at a track between Alsalam camp and Srtiney camp, both are located in kabkabia locality in North Darfur. The shooting resulted into the killing of the track drivers, Mr. Abdul Shako and Musa Abakar. The armed men looted all the luggage of passengers in the track. A case has been filed against unknown perpetrators at Kabkabia police Station.

On 19 January 2022, unknown men armed with automatic guns attacked several IDPs residing in Zamzam IDP camp in North Darfur. The incident took place when the IDPs were moving to trace their stolen cattle by unknown people. Four IDPs were killed in the attack whilst five others were injured. The inured people have been transferred to medical center of relief international inside Zamzam IDP camp.

The deceased are:

1. Mahadi Mohamed Abdul Rahman (m)
2. Haroun Arko Jally
3. Hidar Mohamed Idris
4. Mohamed Ibrahim Bkhat
5. Abu Bakar Abdallah Wadi

The inured People are:

1. Isam Abdullah
2. Ibrahim Bakhat
3. Mohamed Harry Dood

On 5 February 2022, the North Darfur governor announced that he had received complaints of looting at Elfashir University by forces of the Juba Peace Agreement tasked to guard part of the UNAMID building that was given to the university.

On 5 February 2022, three people were killed in a shooting that occurred at the former UNAMID headquarter. The incident happened after Mr Mohamed Ibrahim also known as Abu Jamba, an officer belonging to the Sudanese Alliance Movement (Juba Peace Agreement signatory) entered the former UNAMID headquarter with two land cruiser vehicles and started to remove some items. His refusal to listen to warnings from the joint forces guarding the facility resulted into an exchange of gunfire between the two parties. As a result, three people were killed, they are:

1. Mr Abdul Monim Abdul Rahman Manzool, Mr Mohamed Ibrahim’s body guard
2. Mohamed Alhabib, a RSF officer employed to guard the facility
3. Fadail Almelik, an officer of the Sudanese Alliance Movement employed to guard the facility.

Following the incident, the North Darfur Governor, general Nimir Abdul Rahman stated that Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim has established an illegal military base in one of neighborhoods of Elfashir town known as Dagagai, and that he was illegally arresting civilians and forcing them to appear in his illegally established court. The state governor said that he had received complaints of Mr. Ibrahim beating civilians with lashes. That consequently, he had asked all Juba Peace Agreement forces to withdrew from all towns as it was agreed in the Agreement.

On 9 February 2022, the Chairman of the Sovereign Council, general Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and his deputy, general Mohamed Hamdan Daglo visited Elfashir town and met with the forces of the Juba Peace Agreement to discuss a security arrangement. Tamazuj Forces, one of the armed movements that signed the Juba peace agreement were excluded from the security arrangement. On 12 February 2022, a group of armed forces in Land cruiser vehicles led by Mr. Khalid Mohamed AL haj, a finance officer in Eugenia locality in West Darfur and Mr. Musa Anger, a well-known weapons dealer in West Darfur marched with their forces gathered from inside Elgenina town where they have an office in Alshatte neighborhood and issued a threatening statement that if they are not included in the security arrangement then they might consider rebelling again.

On 8 February 2022, unknown armed men raided the house of Ms. Fasial Mohamed Ismail, a 27-year-old located in Hashaba village in Tabit area, North Darfur. The armed men tried taking away her cellphone but she resisted. They left her injured after shooting her in the head and hand.

Attacks in Central Darfur

On 15 December 2021, at around 02:00am, unknown men armed with automatic guns shot Mr. Izz Eldien Adam, a 20-year-old after they broke into his shop. The armed men looted items from the shop including food items, cellphones and solar panels. He died later at Garsilla Hospital in Central Darfur where he was taken for medical treatment. The incident took place in Kolgi village located in Northern Garsilla.

On 30 December 2021, at around 03:00am, un known men armed with automatic guns raided the house of Mr. AL haj Aldrich’s family in Um-Duchene village in Central Darfur, and opened gun fire killing Mr. Mohamed Omer (34) and injuring two others. The injured are Mr. Abdul Shako and Mr Musa Osman (32). Both have been transferred to Um-Dukhun Hospital in Central Darfur.

On 11 January 2022, three armed men in SAF uniforms ambushed a track and a car belonging to TDO, a development Organization on the road between Rokoro area and Zalingi town in Central Darfur. They beat passengers in both vehicles and looted all their belongings.

On 17 February 2022, two armed men in plain clothes shot Mr. Adam Haroun Hussein, a 37 year-old in his garden located near Delige village in Central Darfur. He sustained injuries in his left leg. The incident happened around 09:00pm when the two-armed men broke in and looted Mr. Haroun Phone shop, and asked him for money but he refused. Hr. Haroun was taken to Zalingi hospital in Central Darfur. The incident has been reported at Delage Police Station but the suspects are reported to be on the run.

On 19 January 2022, two armed men on horses shot to death Mr. Hassan Abdul Majid Mohamed, a 65-year-old who was residing in Nitrite IDP camp, Center number 7. He was shot while gardening on his farm located in Dargie East, South of Nitrate. He was buried in Nitrate and a case has been filed at Nirtati Police Station against unknown perpetrators.

Attacks in South Darfur

On 23 January 2022, at around 08:00pm, a group of armed men with automatic gun machines shot at a motorcycle taxi locally known as toktok that was carrying five passengers who were coming from Gerida to Jawgana in South Darfur. At least one passenger was killed and two others injured including an infant. The deceased has been identified as Mrs. Awatif Musa Mohamed Abdul Malik. Her infant baby sustained injuries as well as Mr. Ali Mohamed Daoud (taxi driver) and Mr. Mohamed Abdul Rahman.

On 24 January 2022, unknown armed men shot at a car which was on its way from Nyala in South Darfur to Elfashir in North Darfur. The incident happened in Abu Zeriga area located in North Darfur. One of the passengers was killed.

On 21 January 2022, three armed men on motorcycles shot at a mini van vehicle in the area of Khoor Ramla near Nitrite in Central Darfur. The van was on its way to Nyala in South Darfur. The shooting resulted into the injury of two people, they are:

1. Salih Omer Musa (m), 27, shot in his head. He was taken to Nyala Hospital in a critical condition.
2. Mustafa Isdiq Adam (m), 23, student. He was shot in his head but his situation is improving.

Attacks in West Darfur

On 17 December 2021, three armed men on motorcycles shot at a track in Kirink town. The track was travelling from Elgenina city to Krinik locality in West Darfur State. Three passengers were injured. They are:

1. Amier Ahmed Ali (m) 30, he was shot in his upper left side of his
2. Hassan Ishaq Abu Bakar (m) 39, he was shot in his left shoulder
3. Ishaq Moahmed Ishaq (m) 40 old

All the three injured passengers have been transferred to Elgenina Hospital in critical condition.

On 24 December 2021, armed men on camel backs shot at three IDPs, two women and child from Ardamata IDP camp in West Darfur. The incident took place between the stock market and the UNAMID base, not very far from Ardamata IDP camp. All the three IDPs were injured. Their names are:

1. Ajeeba Abdul Rahman Ishaq, 27, shot in her right leg,
2. Zima Muhamadeen Yahya, 30, shot in her right leg
3. Amin Abdul Rahman Ishaq (m) 13, shot in his left

The three IDPs were transferred to Elgenina Hospital

Sexual violence against children

On 18 February 2022, at around 09:00am, four men armed with clashincoves raped a 13-year-old IDP girl residing in Morney IDP camp. Three of the men were in plain clothes whilst one was in RSF uniform. The case has been reported to the Police Station in Morney.

On 22 January 2022, a group of armed men in plain clothes raped at gunpoint two girls aged 9 and 10. The girls had moved outside Bendsi IDP camp where they reside to collect firewood.  They were reportedly raped from 01:00pm to 04:00pm before they were left near a valley.

Background

Attacks against civilians in Darfur region have significantly increased since the exit of United Nations-African Union hybrid peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) on 31 December 2020. The departure of the long-running UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur has created a security vacuum as hundreds of thousands flee fresh outbreaks of violence. The new UN political mission, UNITAMS, tasked to support the transitional government, has no mandate to provide physical protection. In 2022 alone, ACJPS has documented 24 arbitrary attacks against civilians in Darfur region.

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. The only effort by Sudanese government has been the deployment of about 12,000 joint troops (6000 from the Sudanese revolutionary front) in fulfillment of the Juba Peace agreement. These attacks and ongoing insecurity in the region exemplify the loss of control by the government of Sudan of armed militias and the lack of rule of law

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