The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) expresses its grave concern regarding the arbitrary detention of at least 643 women currently held in Korea Prison in Nyala, South Darfur, an area under the control of the Tasis political and military alliance.
The systematic targeting of women in Sudan
Women in Sudan have long been disproportionately affected by armed conflict and discriminatory laws restricting their participation in public life. Throughout Sudan’s conflicts, women and girls have faced: Sexual violence and exploitation, abductions and forced marriage, arbitrary arrests and detention, accusations of collaboration with opposing forces, unfair trials and death sentences, incommunicado detention under inhumane conditions, etc.
In April 2024, RSF began operating the Korean prison as a detention center after the prison was left vacant following the release of prisoners due to the war's breakthrough in Sudan in April 2023. ACJPS received verified information that at least 643 women are detained at the prison under dire living conditions.
Women accused of collaborating with opposing parties
200 detainees were arrested in Nyala, South Darfur; Zalingei, Central Darfur; and El Geneina, West Darfur. Most are civilians, including family members of Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) personnel or police officers.
Female detainees transferred from El Fasher
ACJPS was reliably informed that 247 detainees were transferred following the takeover of El Fasher in November 2025. The majority were detained without formal charges or judicial review.
Women accused of committing criminal offences
196 women were accused of criminal offenses, including 9 pregnant women, among whom 4 were charged with murdering their husbands, despite lacking clear evidence. They continue to be detained without witnesses, a functioning legal process, or concrete proof.
Detainees in Korea prison reportedly endure harsh conditions. Those from Nyala city are in a relatively better position, as their families provide additional food to supplement the inadequate, poor-quality meals. ACJPS was reliably informed that several RSF officers have approached the detention facility to take detainees for forced labor at their homes. According to the source, two officers regularly visit, each selecting two detainees for household work such as cleaning, laundry, and ironing, from morning until evening, when they are returned to prison. Reportedly, the detainees only receive food during this period. The poor living conditions include;
On February 7, 2026, RSF officers arrested two women, Fatima and Asma (pseudonyms), and transferred them to the Korea Prison. They worked as a supervisor and medical staff at a pharmacy in Nyala owned by Hawa (not real name), who had left Sudan after the war started. This case illustrates how some RSF officers are blackmailing business owners into closing their businesses. In this instance, two RSF officers approached the pharmacy and discussed their interest in purchasing it with the duty staff. They told the staff that the owner was outside Sudan, coerced the person in charge to call her, kept the line on loud, and reported the deal. Before answering, the owner was threatened, leading to either the deal being sealed or rejected, which was seen as opposing the RSF and collaborating with SAF. When the owner refused, the two staff members were detained. This reaction highlights the abuse of power by RSF officers. The two women joined 641 other detainees in the Korea Prison, bringing the total to 643 women detained.
Ms. Mona (a pseudonym) was detained in Darfur on December 15, 2025, after the RSF failed twice to apprehend her husband, Mr. Ali (not his real name), a regular member of the Sudanese forces. He had already left for a neighboring country, preventing the RSF from forcing him to report to Nyala. After three months and some days, she was offered possible release conditions requiring a ransom of 5,000,000 Sudanese Pounds (SP), amounting to roughly $1,352 USD at the Bank of Khartoum's official exchange rate. However, Mona and her family stated they do not have that money.
1. RSF to immediately and unconditionally release all women detained without lawful charges or evidence. If there is evidence, charge the detainees and ensure they are tried before an independent and impartial court.
2. Until release occurs, urgent protection measures must be implemented, including: adequate daily nutrition, clean drinking water, access to medical care, especially for pregnant women, sanitary facilities and hygiene supplies, protection from abuse, harassment, and sexual violence.
3. RSF must immediately cease all forms of forced labor. No detainee should be removed from prison for unpaid domestic labor, used for personal service by officers, denied food as a condition for labor, or exploited under threat of punishment.
4. The Sudanese authorities must launch an independent investigation into: arbitrary arrests, collective punishment practices, forced labor, extortion and ransom demands, and abuse of authority. Those responsible, regardless of rank, must be held accountable through lawful judicial processes.
5. The international Community, including the African Union, the United Nations, diplomatic missions in Sudan, and international human rights mechanisms, should urgently intervene to ensure the safety and freedom of the detained women.