Sudan’s Darfur descends into chaos, new conflict unleashes atrocities
The Darfur region of Sudan, already scarred by a two-decade-long conflict, faces renewed horrors as a fresh wave of violence sweeps through. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias, accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, are reported to have killed thousands, leaving the international community seemingly indifferent.
A United Nations report reveals that the RSF’s onslaught in the West Darfur city of El Geneina alone resulted in the death of 10,000 to 15,000 people, with the Massalit community being specifically targeted. Ethnic massacres, sexual violence, and mass displacement have become commonplace, reminiscent of the atrocities that plagued Darfur in 2003.
Formerly an offshoot of the infamous Janjaweed militia, the RSF now controls four out of five state capitals in the region, leaving civilians trapped in a nightmare. Communication blackouts have hindered information flow, relying on local monitors risking their lives to expose the atrocities.
Recent attacks in Central Darfur’s Zalingei have drawn attention, with allegations of mass murder, summary executions, sexual assault, and torture committed by the RSF. Human rights defender Mohamed Bera reports at least 180 killed in a single attack on the Hasaheisa camp for internally displaced people (IDPs).
The conflict has forced many of the existing three million IDPs in Darfur to flee once again, facing violence and displacement. International response remains weak, with analysts noting a lack of political will to prevent history from repeating itself.
Despite US Secretary of State Antony Blinken holding both the RSF and the army accountable for war crimes, there’s a pervasive sense of impunity. The International Criminal Court’s investigation has not led to justice for indicted former president Omar al-Bashir, and calls for a UN or African Union protection force face obstacles.
In El Fasher, the last state capital not under RSF control, civilians suffer as the international community remains largely absent. With limited humanitarian presence and increasing hunger, the situation has reached a critical point, with one child dying every two hours in Zamzam camp.
As the Darfur crisis deepens, the urgency for international intervention grows, highlighting the stark reality that Sudan’s strategic interests might overshadow the human suffering unfolding in Darfur.
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