There are significant developments on both the political and the human rights levels in Sudan during the past couple of months. In particular, the past few weeks have witnessed movements by the Rapid Support Forces to focus on the Darfur region, with the aim of using this region as a strategic military base from which it can bring about a change in the balance of military and political power.
On 28 October 2023, the Rapid Support Forces announced their seizure of the city of Nyala in South Darfur State, after the military forces of the 16th Division of the Sudanese Army withdrew from the city. Accordingly, the Commander of the Rapid Support Forces appointed a police command and called for the courts and the Public Prosecutor’s Office to continue their legal work according to the usual daily routine. Security fragility is still prevalent in the city of Nyala, where three people were killed in the Khartoum neighborhood by gunmen on November 5, 2023, while there is a heavy stench of decomposing bodies inside the Grand Market in Nyala. They are the remains of the bodies of fighters from both sides, as well as civilian victims as a result of the armed confrontations around the army headquarters.
In a related context, on 4 November 2023, the Rapid Support Forces announced control of the 15th Division of the Sudanese Army in El Geneina, West Darfur State. As he did in the city of Nyala, Rapid Support Commander Abdul Rahim Dagalo called on both the police and judicial institutions to carry out their duties as usual. He called on merchants to reopen their stores and also appealed to humanitarian organizations to provide assistance to citizens. He also announced the appointment of Major General Abdel Rahman Jumaa, who is subject to US sanctions, as commander of the Army’s 15th Division in the city of El Geneina, in addition to the continuation of the designated governor of the state in performing his duties.