RSF accused of forcing Sudan’s Al-Jazirah villagers to flee again

August 5, 2024 (WAD MADANI) – Residents of a village west of Sennar in Sudan were forced to flee for a second time after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) gave them 48 hours to leave, an eyewitness told Sudan Tribune.

The villagers had recently returned to Bargo Wadahouba, having been displaced to Sennar six months ago following fighting between the RSF and the Sudanese army. The fighting has escalated since April, despite a brief military operation to regain control of Al Jazirah state.

According to the eyewitness, the RSF has committed widespread abuses in Al Jazirah, including killings, looting, arrests, and forced displacement. The RSF controls most of the state and has exploited communication blackouts to carry out its operations.

The army has been accused of failing to protect civilians, and calls have grown for locals to be armed to defend themselves against the RSF.