Sudanese authorities must urgently protect civilians and investigate the attacks in Darfur

  (3 February 2021) African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) expresses deep concern about the surge of targeted attacks against civilians in the Darfur region since January 2021. From 24-25 January 2020, 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. The Government of Sudan should immediately put in place measures to protect civilians throughout Darfur. ACJPS calls on Sudanese authorities carry out an independent investigation into the attacks and hold perpetrators to account.

On 24 January 2021, armed militias traveling in four-wheel vehicles and on camel backs, horses and motorcycles raided the villages of Falooja, Kebe, Rogoula and Hillat Al Faki Ahmed Zakariya in EastJebel Marra in South Darfur state and indiscriminately opened gun fire at civilians. The same armed militias moved to Tawila locality in North Darfur, about 10 kilometres north of Falooja and attacked the villages of Merra, Dabba Nayra, and Rojoula. The attacks on these villages continued up to 25 January 2021.

More than 4,000 people have now fled their villages to the east of Jebel Marra and sought refuge in valleys and caves in the mountains and around the area of Dabo Al-omda in Tawila locality, North Darfur. A reliable source informs ACJPS that the wounded were unable to access medical centers and hospitals in the nearby cities because the armed militias controlled the main roads. At least 11 people were killed. They include:

1. Yahya Yousif (male)
2. Ahmed Ali Ibrahim (male)
3. Matar Idrees (male)
4.  Hamid Yagoub (male)
5.  Dawood Salih (male)
6. Zahra Ali Ishag (female)
7. Zeinab Adam Issa  (female)
8. Maryem Mohamed (female)
9. Mustafa Abdulahi Adam (male)
10. Jar Alnabi Zakarya Ali (male)
11. Yousif Salih Ahmed Alnoor (male)

ACJPS condemns these arbitrary attacks against civilians in Darfur region and calls on:

• The transitional government:
  • 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.
  • To immediately put in place measures to protect 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 access to essential services particularly health services, food and water.
• International community, particularly the European Union, United States, United Nations and African Union, to support the Transitional Government of Sudan to meet its legal obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law.

Background

There have been several militia and intercommunal attacks in Darfur region following the exit of United Nations-African Union hybrid peacekeeping mission (UNAMID). United Nations Security Council ended the mandate of UNAMID last year and it ceased operation on 31 December 2020, roughly two weeks before the attacks begun. The new UN political mission, UNITAMS, tasked to support the transitional government, has no mandate to provide physical protection and is still not fully operational.

In the early hours of 16 January 2021, large groups of armed militias attacked Krinding IDP camp in El Geneina, capital of West Darfur state. The attack continued until the morning of 17 January 2021.  According to the West Darfur Doctors Committee, 163 people were killed whilst 198 were injured. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs quoted that approximately 97,800 persons are newly displaced in West Darfur.

ACJPS documented  several violent attacks by armed militias against civilians across Darfur region in 2020 and 2019. 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.