Umm Dafuq, September 22 (Darfur 24)
Russian forces stationed in the Central African Republic (CAR) have intensified military activity along the border with Sudan, carrying out arrests, torture, and killings targeting Sudanese nomads.
On Thursday, residents of Umm Dafuq in South Darfur accused Russian forces of brutally killing five shepherds in the town of Al-Sayheb, about 20 kilometers inside CAR territory.
This is not the first incident of its kind. Since early August, Russian troops operating alongside local CAR forces have reportedly killed at least 12 Sudanese during a violent campaign across border towns.
Mohammed al-Hussein, a survivor, told Darfur24 that Sudanese shepherds were arrested and tortured in Dahl, Andha, Umm Gatwaya, and Al-Sayheb on accusations of belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Survivors who fled to Umm Dafuq said Russian soldiers, dressed in full military uniforms, are conducting ground raids and aerial patrols with helicopters, targeting Sudanese residents in border villages.
Local CAR authorities accuse Sudanese residents—especially in the Andha gold mining area of Brau province—of supporting or joining the RSF. The crackdown has forced dozens of families from Al-Sayheb, Bishma, and Umm Tabila to flee across the border into Umm Dafuq.
The families of victims have appealed to the RSF and human rights organizations for protection, describing the operations as “systematic attacks” against Sudanese civilians.
The violence has also disrupted cross-border trade. A trader from Umm Dukhun, Issa Mohammed, told Darfur24 that Russian activity has blocked vital trade routes that supply Darfur with essential goods, worsening shortages caused by Sudan’s ongoing war.
Since the outbreak of fighting with the Sudanese army, the RSF has controlled the entire border strip with CAR, using crossings at Umm Dafuq and other towns to transport military supplies and receive foreign fighters.
Meanwhile, sources informed Darfur24 that hundreds of armed residents from Rahid al-Bardi and Umm Dukhun have mobilized in anticipation of possible inter-communal clashes with the Kara tribe in CAR, whom they accuse of encouraging Russian forces to target Sudanese nomads and farmers.