October 28, Nairobi — The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was accused of “atrocious crimes” by a senior United Nations officials following reports that 124 people were killed by the group over the past week in the central Sudanese state. Hundreds are also believed to be injured.
“These are atrocious crimes,” said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, in a statement on Saturday. “Women, children, and the most vulnerable are bearing the brunt of a conflict that has already taken far too many lives.”
The RSF went on a five-day rampage in villages and towns in Gezira last week, shooting at civilians and sexually attacking women and girls. They also looted private and public properties, including open markets. The northern town of Al-Sireha experienced the worst of the violence on Friday.
The violence erupted after Abu Aqla Kikl, the RSF commander in Gezira state, switched allegiance to the Sudanese army on Oct. 21. The military had also successfully taken over areas held by the RSF. The group are believed to be carrying out reprisal attacks in the region. Alongside the killings, it also alleged that the RSF has arrested hundreds of civilians.
The recent attack displaced more than 46,500 people in the city of Tamboul and other villages in eastern and northern Gezira last week, according to data from the International Organization for Migration’s Tracking Matrix.
Emergency Lawyers also told Darfur24 that the RSF blocked communication and internet networks, including the internet service via satellite, known as Starlink, to cover up crimes and prevent documentation of violations.
The Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and Commander of the Sudanese army, Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, decided in a meeting to arm people of the region to defend themselves.
The Doctors’ Union in Sudan has said that RSF attacks turned areas in eastern Gezira into “a brutal war zone.” They also said that “there is no way to help the injured or evacuate them for treatment” and called on the UN Security Council to open safe corridors.