Civilians are the first victims of the war in Sudan. Since the start of the conflict in April 2023, abuses and violence have increased, plunging the country into horror. In our investigation, we give the floor to three of our Observers who testify to the terror and suffering experienced by civilian populations.
The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia are on the front lines of this civil war. With armed clashes taking place mainly in Khartoum, as well as the adjacent towns of Omdurman and Bahri, the RSF are bringing terror to the streets. Civilians, trapped in these fratricidal battles, suffer the worst abuses.
The videos circulating on social networks are proof of this violence. Civilians are arbitrarily arrested, tortured, humiliated, accused without proof of collaborating with the army. They are also victims of housing requisitions, where FSR militiamen settle in, loot the premises and evict the inhabitants. Thousands of people had to flee their homes, leaving behind all their belongings.
Mohammad Gamal, one of our Observers, experienced this terror up close. He testifies about his experience, recounting how he was attacked by FSR militiamen. Six long hours of beatings, unfounded accusations, humiliation. But despite everything, he managed to keep his cool and survive. Unfortunately, many others were not so lucky.
Beyond Khartoum, the conflict also extends to Darfur, a region bordering Chad that has already been devastated by decades of inter-ethnic violence. Clashes between African militias, mainly composed of members of the Massalit ethnic group, and the RSF are raging. The militiamen, formerly known as the Janjaweed and accused of genocide, are now committing ethnically motivated atrocities.
The assassination of the governor of West Darfur, a member of the Massalit ethnic group, is the symbol of this ethnic cleansing enterprise. FSR militias invade towns, massacring civilians in their path. Displaced people who try to flee are also targeted, suffering massive massacres.
In this war, rape is used as a weapon of war, whether by soldiers of the regular army or the militiamen of the FSR. Unbearable videos are circulating, demonstrating the reality of these abuses. Women, often too frightened or forced to remain silent, are the first victims of this violence.
In Sudan, the situation of civilians is alarming. They are caught in the crossfire of these deadly battles, suffering physical violence and abuses. It is urgent that the international community take measures to put an end to these atrocities and protect the civilian populations who have suffered so much.