Crisis deepens in West Darfur capital as civilians face targeting and displacement
June 13, 2023 (EL GENEINA) – Civilians who have escaped the conflict in West Darfur state said that the state capital El Geneina is currently facing a multifaceted humanitarian and security crisis.
They further reported the ongoing targeting and forced displacement of civilians by Arab militias allied with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), warning that the situation in El Geneina has grown increasingly complex.
Since April 15, El Geneina has been ravaged by violent conflict that initially erupted between the army and the Rapid Support Forces but has since escalated into clashes between Masalit and Arab tribes. This inter-tribal fighting has resulted in numerous civilian deaths and extensive infrastructure destruction.
On May 17, communication and internet services were severed in the region, effectively isolating it amidst the ongoing tribal conflicts. This isolation has prompted thousands of people to flee to Chad for safety.
Mohamed Ishaq, a resident of the Alshati neighbourhood in El Geneina who managed to reach the Chadian area of “Adré,” shared with Sudan Tribune his observations that “the Arab tribal militias are still engaging in massacres targeting all African tribes residing in El Geneina without exception.”
Ishaq emphasized that these acts amount to genocide and ethnic cleansing of the indigenous population, forcibly displacing them from their homes. He further detailed the dire situation in neighbourhoods such as Alshati, Al-Naseem, Al-Thawra, Alzhour, and Alkifah, where armed militias supported by the RSF have invaded these areas and targeted members of African tribes.
“People are being killed solely based on their ethnicity. Hundreds of bodies remain unburied in these neighbourhoods due to the difficulty of reaching them amidst the presence of militants,” he lamented.
Ishaq highlighted the challenges faced by those who managed to escape El Geneina and reach Chadian territory. They encountered numerous difficulties and came under attack from tribal gunmen deployed along the main streets, with snipers posing a significant threat to individuals attempting to cross the border.
Perthes condemns
The gravity of the situation prompted Volker Perthes, UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative and UNITAMS Head, to issue a strongly worded statement on Tuesday condemning the ongoing violence in West Darfur state. Perthes called for the documentation of these attacks to ensure accountability.
“The United Nations strongly condemns all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, regardless of their form or the alleged perpetrators,” stated Perthes in response to the tribal attacks.
Perthes urged security forces and non-state armed actors to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law by respecting the right to life and refraining from targeting civilians.
Alice Wairimu Nderitu, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, also expressed shock at the ongoing violence in West Darfur and warned that if it continues, it may escalate into atrocities such as rape, murder, and ethnic cleansing.
Mohamed Hasaballah, another Sudanese who recently arrived in Abeché, Chad, told Sudan Tribune that the situation in El Geneina and the Misteri locality is “catastrophic.”
He stated that civilians continued to be targeted until Monday morning, with Algamarik Almadaris neighbourhoods being subjected to artillery shelling by the Rapid Support Forces and ground attacks by armed Arab militias, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people in a single day.
Hasaballah emphasized that the armed militias specifically targeted Massalit tribal leaders and activists.
“They killed the brother of the Sultan of Dar Massalit, Prince Tariq Abdel Rahman Bahr al-Din, in addition to community figures in El Geneina and university student activists,” he added.
Several days ago, Sudan Tribune received multiple videos showcasing the devastating impact of the violence perpetrated by the militiamen in El-Geneina.
In one of these videos, a militiaman stood outside the residence of the Dar Massalit Sultan and proclaimed, “There will be no Dar Massalit again, but only Dar Arab.”
The assailant militiamen looted the Sultan’s residence and partially destroyed it. Additionally, they targeted and destroyed displaced persons (IDPs) camps, hospitals, and various infrastructures internally, said Hasaballah.
In his statement, the UN Secretary-General envoy to Sudan emphasized the need to document all violations committed to these attacks to ensure accountability.
“UNITAMS will continue its efforts to monitor the situation and utilize its resources to engage with all parties involved, aiming to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict in coordination with regional and international partners,” he stressed.
(ST)