Civilians are continuously being targeted and raided by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, a trend that has resulted in war crimes and must be stopped.

Development Diaries reports that about 108 people were recently killed in Sudan’s Jalagani village, southern Sennar, as locals and RSF soldiers clash.

We understand that a group of armed RSF soldiers raided a village and attempted to abduct women and young girls, prompting resistance from the villages.

This resulted in the death of three RSF soldiers and later ignited a retaliation by the militia group.

‘Young men of the village confronted them with knives and sticks, and heavy fighting broke out. Three members of the force were killed, and the rest fled to Wad El Nil village’, a Jalagani youth leader, Osman Ali, said in a statement.

‘After five hours, a large group of RSF soldiers in four-wheel drive vehicles loaded with heavy military equipment attacked Jalagani from the south and west, firing randomly at the villagers.

‘The paramilitaries then entered houses and killed the young men inside. At least 108 people died during the attack’.

Similar attacks by the RSF on other villages in the region were recorded as nearly 30 people, among them children, lost their lives.

The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network has also reported a surge in cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in recent weeks mostly carried out by members of the RSF.

Since the conflict started in April 2023, the RSF have been one of the leading perpetrators of war crimes as they continue to sexually assault women and kills, raid villages for food supplies, and attack health workers and facilities.

Development Diaries reiterates its call to the RSF to stop the attacks on civilians as enshrined in the international humanitarian law. We also urge the authorities in Sudan to ensure that those responsible for the numerous crimes against civilians face the full weight of the law.

Source: Dabanga

Photo source: Dabanga