U.S. condemns shelling of civilians by RSF in Sudan

October 19, 2023 (WASHINGTON) -The United States on Thursday condemned the shelling of civilians by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in some parts of Khartoum and South Darfur states in Sudan.

In a statement on Thursday, the State Department said it was “deeply concerned by credible reports that the RSF has intensified its shelling in and around Nyala, South Darfur and Karari, Omdurman, deepening the suffering of the Sudanese people.”

The statement said the US was aware of reports that the RSF was targeting residential areas in Karari to force civilians to flee the army-controlled area, which was perceived as a safe haven for displaced people.

It also said the US was aware of fighting between the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, and that the RSF had encircled the city in preparation for an assault.

“We are also concerned by reports the RSF has shelled and blocked all access into the Hasahisa IDP camp in Central Darfur,” the statement said.

The statement said that six months after the onset of the war in Sudan, the RSF was now using missiles and artillery, and that recent videos showed that the group was using new weapons, including rocket launchers.

It said that over 9,000 people had been killed since fighting broke out in mid-April, and that over 5.5 million people had fled their homes and sought refuge within Sudan or in neighboring countries.

The State Department reiterated its call for the RSF and SAF to immediately stop the fighting and return to talks toward a negotiated exit from the conflict.

It also reminded the RSF and SAF of their commitments under the May 11 Jeddah Declaration of Principles to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, including by allowing unhindered humanitarian access, protecting civilians and their human rights, and upholding international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

(ST)