El Fasher, January 27 (Darfur24)
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have begun transferring civilian detainees from detention centers in El Fasher, North Darfur, to prisons in Nyala, South Darfur, volunteers and relatives reported on Monday, raising fresh concerns over the fate of those held in custody.
The RSF took control of El Fasher last October after fierce battles with the Sudanese army and allied joint forces.
Relatives of the detainees told Darfur24 that the RSF has continued moving prisoners, most of them civilians, from Shala Prison, the Children’s Hospital in eastern El Fasher, and the Specialized Women’s and Maternity Hospital (Saudi) to detention facilities in Nyala.
They said most military and political detainees were transferred to Nyala starting in early November, while hundreds of civilian detainees remain in detention centers in El Fasher.
According to the volunteers, at least ten detainees who were in the Shala Prison, the Children’s Hospital, and the Specialized Hospital were transferred to Nyala late last week. These detainees had been compelled to assist in caring for sick and elderly prisoners inside the facilities.
Additionally, a relative of one of the detainees told Darfur24 that families received information indicating the RSF intended to move several prisoners from Shala Prison and the Children’s Hospital after demanding ransom payments in exchange for their release. The family said they were unable to raise the requested sum and were later notified on Sunday that the detainees had been transferred to Nyala.
Meanwhile, a source close to the RSF confirmed to Darfur24 that dozens of detainees, including individuals accused of spying for the army and joint forces, were moved from El Fasher detention centers to Nyala in recent days.