FFC leaders urge Hemetti curb human rights violations in central Sudan’s Al-Jazirah
February 29, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Two prominent leaders in the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition called on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemetti,” to immediately cease the human rights violations committed by his forces in Al-Jazirah State.
The RSF took control of the region in late 2023 without resistance, but reports soon emerged of widespread abuses against civilians, including killings, looting, forced occupation of homes, humiliation, and conflict-related sexual violence.
In a press statement, Yasir Arman, a leading figure in the FFC, urged Hemetti to “condemn the crimes perpetrated by his forces on the island and take tangible steps to bring them to an end.”
He warned of the escalating violence, stating, “These actions risk pushing the Al-Jazirah’s youth to take up arms in self-defence, potentially fulfilling the plans of remnant elements seeking to reignite ethnic conflict. It is imperative to prevent Sudan from descending further into an ethnic war, which would be even more destructive than the current conflict.”
Arman advocated for a comprehensive meeting between the RSF leadership, political leaders, civil society representatives, and tribal leaders from Al-Jazirah State. He emphasized the need for swift action to stop the violations, establish clear internal mechanisms for accountability within the RSF, and develop a concrete plan for the removal of armed militants from villages and residential areas.
“The ongoing war is fueled by the remnants of the previous regime who seek to exploit ethnic tensions,” Arman asserted. “The RSF’s actions of killing and looting civilians only serve their agenda.”
He further warned against the broader economic and social repercussions of these violations, citing the financial devastation faced by the middle class in Khartoum, the aerial bombardments of civilians in various regions, and the overall destabilization of the country.
Arman categorically condemned the RSF’s actions, highlighting the vulnerability of Al-Jazirah’s inhabitants and the disproportionate impact of the violence on civilians. He expressed the belief that the RSF’s incursion into the island has backfired, potentially mirroring the entrapment of the previous regime by its own oppressive tactics.
Arman, the head of the SPLM-N-Revolutionary Democratic Current, had previously warned the RSF against invading the densely populated central Sudan, which also houses displaced individuals.
Echoing Arman’s sentiments, Khalid Omer Youssif, another prominent FFC leader, called on the RSF to uphold its pledge to hold perpetrators of violations accountable. He described the ongoing violations as “deplorable, dehumanizing, and unacceptable,” emphasizing the need for an immediate end.
Youssef stressed the defenceless nature of the island’s population and their desire for peaceful coexistence. He condemned the RSF’s actions across Sudan, stating that violations against civilians are a moral issue that transcends political affiliations.
He further pointed out the discrepancy between the RSF’s public statements and their actions.
Despite the RSF’s statement on February 21st promising to respect the rights of civilians in Al-Jazirah, reports of continued atrocities against civilians continue to emerge.
(ST)