Sudan launches girls’ recruitment camps
August 21, 2023 (ADDAMER) – The northern Sudanese River Nile State has inaugurated what is being touted as the first and largest camp for recruiting girls. This move comes in response to Army Commander-in-Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s call for a general mobilization to counter the alleged widespread abuses by the Rapid Support Forces.
The establishment of these girls’ training centres has stirred discontent among women activists. They view it as a regression to the policies of the previous Islamist regime, which was ousted in April 2019. Furthermore, this initiative is seen as endorsing the continuation of the conflict, running counter to the feminist perspective advocating for its cessation.
The women’s camp, located in River Nile State, accommodates over 200 women and girls ranging in age from 17 to 50. Many of them are displaced individuals who fled the conflict in Khartoum following the paramilitary force’s seizure of control over most neighbourhoods and residences in the city.
The concept of enlisting women in River Nile State was advanced by the Karama Association, established after the war in Khartoum, with governmental funding. The inauguration of the girls’ camp was overseen by Mahgoub al-Sir, the state’s finance minister, who likened the participants to the Nusseibeh Sisters’ battalion.
The Nusseibeh Sisters constituted the first Sudanese women’s combat battalion, formed in 1990 during the rule of the former Islamist regime. Its role was primarily to provide support to the army and mujahideen during the conflict against the SPLM in South Sudan.
Similarly, the recruitment of girls in the River Nile State aims to provide practical assistance. This involves aiding wounded and injured army personnel and extending their moral and material support. Participants also receive training in handling light weaponry and can become medical volunteers in field hospitals located in conflict zones. They can alternatively serve as humanitarian volunteers.
The volunteers’ experiences of hardship largely influenced the decision to join the camp during confrontations between the army and the Rapid Support Forces. Many of them have endured instances of rape, abduction, killing, displacement, and occupation of their homes. The prospect of preparing for potential worst-case scenarios and defending against possible violations serves as a significant motivation for their training, according to multiple women in the camp.
Provocative Steps
Radiologist Safaa Salah justified her involvement in the camp to alleviate the negative emotions accrued during the conflict. She highlighted the vulnerability they faced in the presence of RSF soldiers, who engaged in authoritarian behaviour, oppression, and severe forms of torture against civilians.
“What struck me the most was how they stripped us of our connection to our homeland. They conducted identity card searches, imposed travel restrictions that required their permission, conducted vehicle searches, invaded our homes, and stole everything we had earned,” Safaa shared with Sudan Tribune.
Safaa went on to explain that her motivation for joining the camp was twofold: firstly, to learn how to use weapons to better prepare for potential future confrontations, and secondly, to stand up for any girl whose dignity was violated by the RSF.
Amidst tears, Fatima Saleh recounted her heart-wrenching story to Sudan Tribune. She revealed that she had lost both her brother and uncle due to treacherous circumstances. This experience intensified her anger and fueled her determination to align herself with the army. She expressed that the most painful aspects were the incidents of rape and abduction of girls. Fatima advised her fellow girls not to endure the humiliation inflicted by tyrants and to take measures to safeguard themselves.
Farha Ibrahim al-Mahi, the coordinator at the camp, provided insight into the training program. The inaugural group consisted of 221 recruits who received training in first aid and initiated efforts to gather donations for injured army members. They also engaged in baking to provide sustenance for soldiers stationed at army camps. She disclosed that the first batch would conclude their training on August 29th, after which an additional 300 registered recruits would undergo training.
The movement to recruit women is gaining traction in various states that have launched initiatives to bolster army support. In Port Sudan, the capital of the Red Sea State, the Sudanese women’s initiative was established to back the army’s efforts. The initiative involves setting up camps to train women in self-defence, caring for families affected by war, and supporting shelters for those in need.
Aya Abdel-Azim, a displaced individual from Khartoum North, participated in a camp in the Nile River State. She viewed self-protection training and skill development as an essential responsibility for every woman, especially given the prevailing security tensions in the country. As a doctor, she found herself frequently working in conflict zones, providing aid to the wounded. Consequently, she felt compelled to undergo training in weaponry and self-defence to respond to potential attacks effectively.
She emphasized that the rape of girls by members of the RSF is an extremely distressing ordeal, often resulting in a girl’s profound shock. The accompanying humiliation necessitates the ability to escape the grasp of a situation that society perceives as stigmatizing.
A contingent of girls in the Nile River State hurriedly joined the camp, foreseeing potential attacks and similar violations in a region that shares a border with Khartoum State.
Nour Nasr El-Din shared that she had heard accounts of incidents during the war that led her to anticipate a comparable situation if an attack were to occur in the River Nile State. Rumours about the presence of RSF elements in various localities within the state intensified this feeling.
Serving as a Cover for Islamists
Conversely, feminist groups cautioned that training girls might be a mere facade for various activities that seek to revive the prominence of isolated Islamists. This is particularly concerning as the River Nile State holds historical significance within the Islamic movement.
Activist Ihsan Faqiri asserted that Islamists were attempting to exploit the circumstances to their advantage. She remarked, “They’re suddenly addressing rape now but remained silent when an entire village’s women were raped in Tabit of North Darfur State several years ago.”
“While it’s true that instances of rape and the captivity of women have occurred, those who supported the Islamist regime lack the political and moral qualifications to defend women,” she added.
Responding to this, the “Women Against War” group voiced apprehension about the pronounced polarization of young individuals and their increasing militarization. The visible military presence in ordinarily safe cities and villages, coupled with the entry of fresh forces into the combat arena, indicates the protraction of the conflict. In a statement released on Saturday, the group emphasized that extricating themselves from the war impasse begins with the unity of all civilian forces and necessitates bold measures to obstruct the path of warmongers.
The overseer of the recruitment camp in the Nile River State defended the concept, underscoring that it does not align with any political party and was established in response to the call of the homeland and the directives of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“The prevailing situation in the country has prompted girls to enrol in order to safeguard themselves, especially given the looming threat of the Rapid Support Forces,” she affirmed.