Sudan: An urgent call for end of violent conflict between the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces

(18 April, 2023) African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) calls on the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to immediately end the violent armed conflict that erupted between them. The conflict has resulted to the death of approximately 185 civilians including 13 children and injuring of approximately 1800 others. ACJPS was reliably informed that most victims were killed in their homes. We condemn the violent conflict and call upon both factions to ensure that peace is restored in country immediately. Sudanese authorities must take all measures to protect the human rights of the Sudanese people and respect their demand for democracy.

We further call upon both the RSF and SAF to:

• Uphold the rights of civilians, including their right to life.
• Ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need without hindrance.
• Engage in peaceful dialogue to find a lasting and peaceful solution to the conflict.
• Prioritize the well-being of the people of Sudan.
• Take responsibility for any actions that have resulted in harm to civilians or other parties involved in the conflict.
• Cooperate with regional partners to find a lasting solution to the conflict. This is essential to ending the violence and ensuring peace for the people of Sudan.

On 13 April 2023, at around 03:00pm, approximately 170 RSF officers arrived in Marwie town in Northern State. The soldiers arrived in three phases of 150, 15 and later 5 in Land cruiser vehicles under the command of Brigadier General Ahmed Omer, a former Sudanese army officer originally from Albrkal in Northern State. ACJPS was reliably informed that RSF had plans to establish its military base on the piece of land they had purchased in Marwai next to Marwai Airport. The said land is a Sudanese military base established in 2021 and used as a training camp by both Sudanese and Egyptian Air forces.

General Abdul Fatah Al-Burhan, SAF high command and Chairperson of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereign Council (STSC) issued a statement ordering RSF to withdraw from Marwai. However, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo also known as Hemitte, the RSF Commander   and Deputy chairperson STSC responded by stating that they can only withdraw on condition that the Egyptian Air forces in Marwai also withdraw. An eyewitness informed ACJPS that on the day when RSF arrived in Marwai, eight Egyptian military aircrafts left the base at around 08:00am and returned at 02:00 Pm in a bid to avoid any possible clashes. ACJPS was reliably informed that the SAF and RSF continued engaging in verbal exchange with each party accusing the other. For example, SAF claimed that RSF did not inform them about their intensions and move to Marwai contrary to Article 5 of the Sudanese Transitional Constitution Bill, 2019 which provides that RSF will be under the supervision of SAF. However, ACJPS obtained a copy of a decree signed by Gen. Al-Burhan cancelling article 5 of the Bill.

On 15 April 2023, the tension between the two fractions worsened following a tweet by Mr. Mani Manawi, the chairperson of the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA) stating that they together with members from STSC, Malik Agar the chairperson Sudanese Liberation Army / Northern Sector and Eltahir Hajar the chairperson Sudanese Liberation Army SLA /Liberation Front intervened and talked to both parties and resultantly reached an agreement/deal.

On 15 April 2023, at 10:00am the parties resumed the exchange with RSF issuing a statement stating that there was an attack on their troops at Soba sports camp located in North Khartoum. The RSF troops had arrived at Soba sports camp space from Darfur. SAF also issued a statement indicating that RSF launched an attack on their forces in different locations in Khartoum including their headquarters in Sports Town. In a short video clip obtained by ACJPS, it can clearly be seen that RSF has full control of Marwai airport that has several military aircrafts bearing Egyptians logos.  Additionally, there were two groups of SAF soldiers and others wearing Egyptian force uniforms under their control. The situation then escalated in Omdurman town where deafening sounds of gunfire was heard around Almohandseen neighborhood.

On the same day, at around 4:00pm, military aircrafts bombed RSF headquarters, Taibate Alhsanat in Khartoum and two other bases in Salah and Karar in Omdurman. ACJPS was reliably informed that SAF used a military base in Shandi, River Nile State to flee from RSF. Another reliable source informed ACJPS that there were other military aircrafts that landed in Port Sudan before taking off again. RSF however stated that SAF used aircrafts from third parties to attack them. Both parties claim control over the same areas.

From the situation so far, it can be deduced that RSF is interested and focused on Khartoum and Darfur States which led SAF to control RSF’s base in Blue Nile and four other states of Eastern Sudan, Algadarfi, Red Sea and Kasala.  After a short engagement in White Nile and South Kordofan State, SAF took control of RSF bases. Additionally, Shandi in River Nile state is also under the control of SAF. The situation in West Kordofan is different as both forces are in control of their respective bases.

Later in the evening of 15 April 2023, RSF announced that they are in control of SAF base in Nyala, South Darfur although SAF is still in control of their base in West Darfur. Later, RSF announced their control of Sebira Airport in Elgenina. After a gun exchange between the parties in Zalingi, Central Darfur, RSF took control of Umdokhun and Bendsi towns bordering Central African Republic. In Elfashir, North Darfur and Alobid, North Kordofan, the parties are still engaging in gunfire and one yet to claim control. RSF also claimed control of Alobid Airport in Eldien, East Darfur with the intervention of Native Adminstration who managed to ensure a ceasefire between SAF and RSF.

Sadly, people in Khartoum, Elfashir, Alobid and Zalingi are living in fear as the situation worsens between the two parties. Khartoum international Airport has since been closed as seen in a video obtained by ACJPS showing RSF in full control of the same. However, there is some unverified information that SAF are engaged with RSF at the airport to gain control of the same whilst putting travelers at risk.

Other developments

In Nyala, the capital city of South Darfur, some groups took advantage of the insecurity and raided several national and international NGOs offices and looted property.  Some of the organisations that were raided include: UNICEF, UNHCR, UNDP and WFP Goods belonging to vendors in South Market and surrounding areas also did not survive the looting. The situation is the same in Khartoum state and Central Darfur specifically Khartoum 3 neighborhood, Al Afrangi Market and Zalingi where a reliable source informed ACJPS that unknown groups looted the shops in the areas.

Since 15 April 2023, water and power has been cut off in Khartoum and several states.

Background

The Rapid Support Forces are Sudanese paramilitary forces that grew out of, and is primarily composed of, the Janjaweed militias which fought alongside the Sudanese government during the War in Darfur where they have been accused of numerous human rights violations against civilians. They have also been accused of human rights violations after the overthrow of former President, Omar al Bashir including the brutal attack on a sit-in by pro-democracy protesters in Khartoum on 3^rd June 2019 that left more than 100 people killed and several injured. Their current commander, general Hemeti has recently been engaged in a power struggle with general al Burhan. The disagreements between the two generals re-emerged over the integration of the RSF into the SAF, as part of the framework Agreement.

 Names of the deceased.

Khartoum State

1. Hussien Babkir (m), aged 13
2. Aboh Adam Abdul Gadir (m)
3. Ebtsam Elyas (f), aged 17
4. Ibrahim Banaga (m), aged 11
5. Aisha (f)
6. Osama Adel (m)
7. Adil Ahmed Rahmah (m)
8. Bakri Idris (m)
9. Najwa Khalid Hamad (f)
10. Romas Osman (m)
11. Hussen Babkir (m), aged 13
12. Abdallah Khalid Abdallah Adam (m)
13. Alla Fawzi Almardi (f)
14. Majdi Stel (m)
15. Walid Suliman (m)
16. Emad Abdallah (m)
17. Elteyb Eljazoli (m)
18. Hassan Saad (m)
19. Abdul Rahman Mohamed Albergdar (m)
20. Mohamed Abbas (m)
21. Asma Qurashi (f)
22. Three unidentified bodies

Alobid, North Kordofan

23. Ibrahim Saad (m)
24. Emad Ibrahim (m)
25. Alzinah Bashir Maki (f)

Elfashir, North Darfur

26. Maaz Megwar (m)
27. Samar Ahmed Abdul Momen (f), a minor
28. Sahar Ahmed Abdul Mimen (f), a minor
29. Taiba Adam Yahya (f)
30. Sidiq Abdallah (m)
31. Osman Abdallah (m)
32. Isa Babkir Mohamed Haroun (m)
33. Majdi Abakar (m)
34. Idris Yosef (m)
35. Sidiq Abdallah Eltahir (m)
36. Yousef Ibrahim (m).
37. Osman Abdallah Ali (m)
38. Mohamed Hassan (m)
39. Mujaheed Alsyed Adam Sabi (m)
40. Mohamed Ibrahim Hassan (m)
41. Ismail Ahmed Mohamed (m)
42. Yousef Suliman Abdallah (m)
43. Rehab Ahmed Ali (f)
44. Dalia Mohamed Yousef (f), aged 3
45. Dawat Mohamed Yousef (f), aged 1
46. Abeer Mohamed Adam (f), aged 8
47. Arfatt Mohamed Adam (f), aged 8
48. Baharya Yousef Ahmed Adam (f)
49. Yousef Hadhim Bosh (m), aged 2
50. Unidentified male aged around, aged around 15/16

 Nyala, South Darfur State

51. Muhi Eldien Ishaq
52. Humidah Badur
53. Marwa Badur (f)
54. Muhjah Ahmed (f)
55. Hussien Isaq )m)
56. Saad Adam Ahmed
57. Maki Abkura
58. Al Haj Adam Yahiya
59. Hemah Hadad
60. Alhadi Mahadi
61. Omer Abdul Rasul Mursal
62. Haroun Ibrahim Mohamed
63. Yasir Grocery shop owner in Railway neighborhood
64. Mohamed Abu Algadim
65. Khalid Adam Saad
66. Ahmed Al Badawi
67. Adam Musa
68. Alsadiq
69. Mubarak
70. Amar Mustafa Sraj
71. Abbas Banani
72. Ali Almalik
73. Mohamed Abdallah Hassan Yosef)m)
74. Suliman Dahia )m)

For more information contact Mossaad Mohamed Ali at mossaad.ali@acjps.org