In the Jazira regions of Sudan, an alarming situation is looming as the powerful Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group puts extreme pressure on residents to join them, threatening to deprive those who refuse of food. Since last December, nearly 700 men and 65 children have been forcibly conscripted by the RSF in Jazira state.
The RSF’s forced recruitment campaign took place in the heart of Sudan’s agricultural region during the growing and harvesting period, exacerbating food insecurity in a country already on the brink of famine. Witnesses described a range of coercive methods employed by the RSF, ranging from intimidation to torture to the suppression of food and medical aid.
Videos authenticated by CNN show RSF attacks in villages in Jazira, where men were executed for refusing to enlist. Witnesses described scenes of terror, looting and arson perpetrated by militiamen.
The Rapid Support Forces’ control over agricultural lands in Jazira, which produce much of the grain consumed in Sudan, raises major concerns about the food security of the population. According to experts, the situation in the region raises fears of imminent famine.
The coercive tactics of the RSF, likened to a system of forced labor, plunge the inhabitants of Jazira into a spiral of violence and deprivation. As the conflict persists and the risks of famine grow, the international community must act to end this humanitarian crisis.
In this difficult context, it is urgent to support the affected populations and find lasting solutions to guarantee their food security and their protection against abuses by armed groups. The mobilization of resources and concerted efforts is essential to respond to urgent humanitarian needs and provide effective support to communities in distress.