W. Darfur Governor frustrated by Khartoum’s inaction against perpetrators of attacks
May 20, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese security authorities have not yet arrested the culprits who committed grave human rights violations in the Kereneik area of West Darfur, said Governor Khamis Abdallah Abkar on Friday.
Armed gunmen from the Arab tribes in the border state killed 201 people in tribal revenge attacks on the residents of Kereneik who are from the Massalit tribe. Elements from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were involved in the assaults.
The Sudanese authorities formed an investigation committee and deployed regular troops from other states to restore the security situation. Also, the RSF Commander and Deputy Head of the Sovereign Council pledged to hold accountable the members of the paramilitary force involved in the violence.
A month after the attack, Abkar told the Sudan Tribune that the culprits are still free despite a request to arrest the perpetrators of the attacks he made to the military-led Sovereign Council two days after the assaults.
He further criticized the inaction of the government in Khartoum and the weal response to his request, stressing the need to re-establish the state authority in the region to avoid further violence.
An investigation Committee is expected to announce its finding in the coming weeks.
The West Darfur governor pointed to allegations that describe the attacks as a conflict between the Arab tribes and the peace signatory Sudanese Alliance Forces, a coalition of armed factions under his leadership.
“The Sudanese Alliance Forces are not part of the conflict. They are a signatory movement to the Juba Peace Agreement and are waiting for the implementation of the security arrangements so that they become part of the state’s military institution.
The Sudanese government and the armed groups in the Darfur region, except the SLM of Abdel Wahid al-Nur, signed a peace agreement in Juba in October 2021.
However, the government has failed to implement the security arrangements creating a security vacuum due to the spread of weapons in the region.
Abkar said one of the reasons for the insecurity is that the SRF allow their elements to take a six-month leave and to keep their weapons during this period. He added that they are also undisciplined and do not comply with the instructions of their higher command.
“Once there are any clashes, the RSF elements participate in it. But this does not mean that their leaders direct them to join the fighting,” he stressed.
The governor who is the head of the state security committee said that the security services should not be allowed to carry weapons or drive military vehicles, during their leave.
Activists from West Darfur posted videos showing uniformed RSF fighters riding military vehicles and using heavy weapons in the attacks.
(ST)