Rapid Support Forces blamed for killing hundreds in central Sudan
April 18, 2024 (WAD MADANI) – The Madani Resistance Committees, a neighbourhood activists group in the Al-central Sudan state of Al-Jazira, documented over 800 deaths since the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control late last year.
Following the takeover in December 2023, RSF members were accused of severe human rights violations against civilians, including killings, forced displacement, intimidation, and sexual violence.
In a statement on Thursday, the Resistance Committees, known for monitoring abuses, said, “For four months, the RSF has inflicted horrific abuses across Al-Jazira, leaving over 800 dead and thousands injured. The escalating sexual violence against women and children threatens a social catastrophe.”
The local group emphasizes the systematic nature of the crimes against unarmed civilians. It also criticizes the deliberate disruption of communication networks and internet services for three months, crippling daily life, banking, and essential goods access.
In February, both the military and RSF blamed each other for the nationwide shutdown. Some telecommunications companies partially restored services in eastern Sudan, but coverage remains patchy.
The Resistance Committees further condemned the military’s indiscriminate airstrikes using explosive barrels in civilian areas, violating international law. They dismissed claims by the military about regaining control as mere “propaganda” aimed at deploying poorly trained personnel for power grabs.
In a separate development, the Hasahisa Resistance Committees, citing western Madani and rural Tabet eyewitnesses, reported looting, property destruction, and assaults on farmers by the RSF. They are accused of obstructing wheat harvest, aiming to impoverish and displace citizens.
These actions threaten food security and lives. The statement urges international organizations to deliver aid effectively to Al-Jazira’s residents.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported a 46% decline in Sudan’s crop production, including wheat, due to conflict, insecurity, and limited access to expensive agricultural resources.
(ST)