In brief
The recent surge in violent attacks, particularly in Sudan’s Gezira state, has led to mass civilian casualties and grave human rights violations, drawing urgent attention from global humanitarian organizations.
In a stark condemnation, a senior UN official in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, expressed her alarm regarding reports of "atrocious crimes"—specifically citing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) alleged involvement in mass killings of civilians. An activist report indicated at least 124 deaths resulting from the RSF's operations to reclaim ground amid escalating conflicts in the region. The RSF maintains they are engaged in conflicts with military-armed militias while denying direct attacks on civilians. However, the ongoing 18-month conflict has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced more than 11 million people. The situation intensified last week after a significant defection from the RSF's ranks, where a commander switched allegiance to the military, resulting in increased hostilities.Reports emerging from the situation indicate that between October 20 and 25, the RSF launched widespread assaults across Gezira state, leading to horrific incidents such as mass killings, assaults on women, rampant looting, and the destruction of agricultural lands. Nkweta-Salami noted that the scale of these operations resembled earlier instances of "ethnic cleansing" witnessed in Darfur.The Wad Madani Resistance Committee, a civil group advocating for both an end to the conflict and a return to democratic governance, outlined the grim reality in deputy characterizing RSF operations as "extensive massacres." The Sudanese doctors' union further urged international bodies, particularly the UN, to facilitate the establishment of safe humanitarian corridors for civilians trapped in the conflict-ridden areas, which they believe faces threats of “genocide.”The conflict’s roots date back to April 2023, stemming from a power struggle between RSF leader Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and military chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Despite international mediation efforts led by the US and Saudi Arabia, both leaders have refrained from agreeing to peace negotiations, maintaining a standoff that continues to devastate the fundamental structure of Sudanese society and governance.
