Three civilians die in RSF detention in South Darfur, observatory says

October 26, 2026 (NYALA) – The Kordofan Observatory announced on Monday the deaths of three civilians held by the Rapid Support Forces in Dagris prison in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state.

The observatory said in a statement that the deceased are Muawiya Adam Suleiman Jabara, Hassan Mohamed Abdel Qadir, and Adam Hamid Laban, also known as “Sheiriya”.

The men hail from the Ghabeish locality in West Kordofan state.

They were arrested in July 2025 during an RSF campaign that targeted more than 50 other individuals.

The detainees were transferred to Nyala without their families being told why they were detained.

Their families remained unaware of their fate until receiving news of their deaths.

Jabara sold car tyres in the Ghabeish market, while Abdel Qadir traded in locally known dried meat.

Laban was a teacher and educator nearing 70.

Abdel Qadir was arrested after asking the force taking his relative, Jabara, about their destination.

The force ordered him to get in the vehicle, and he remained detained until his death in prison.

The Kordofan Observatory warned that the three deaths fit a previously reported pattern of incidents inside Dagris prison.

These include deaths linked to starvation, disease, and torture, the statement said.

The observatory called for an investigation into the circumstances of the deaths to reveal the actual causes.

It expressed concern over the fate of the remaining detainees, noting that 26 people from Ghabeish remain in custody.

There is no confirmed information about their conditions amid a lack of communication with their families for over a year.

The statement held the RSF and the “Ta’sees” government responsible for the detainees’ safety and conditions.

It demanded the provision of food and medical care, and guaranteed protection from torture and ill-treatment.

The observatory stressed the need to release arbitrarily detained civilians.

It urged the “Ta’sees” government to take urgent measures to prevent further deaths and violations in detention centres under its de facto control.

The group called for an independent investigation into the three deaths and accountability for those found responsible for violations.

It also demanded that independent human rights and humanitarian organizations be allowed to visit Dagris prison to verify the health and living conditions of detainees.