PUBLICATIONS #RSF

The conflict between the Sudanese Army (SAF) and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that broke out in April 2023, has since turned ethnic, raising fears of a possible ethnic cleansing and Genocide.

ACJPS is appalled by the horrific attacks in Elfashir, the capital city of North Darfur that has resulted in bloodshed and massive displacement of residents and IDPs. Since April 2024, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been trying to take over Elfashir. The siege of Elfashir has devastated the city's infrastructure and disrupted essential services. Damage to electricity and water facilities has left many areas without power or running water, with a severe impact on hospitals, schools, and other critical services. Hospitals that remain open are struggling with inadequate supplies to treat the influx of wounded civilians and many succumbing to injuries.

Aljazeera state remained relatively peaceful until December 2023 when residents reported incidents of violations by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militia. The situation has since made a turn for the worse.

ACJPS is deeply concerned about the escalating insecurity in Darfur state amidst the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan. We call upon the Sudanese authorities to launch an impartial investigation into the incident between RSF allied militia groups in a Market in Forbraga town, West Darfur state that resulted in the death of 12 Sudanese citizens.

The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) has documented an incident on 19 November 2023, where the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) engaged in a gunfight at the SAF base in Eldien town also known as Division 20 injuring 68 people.

The African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) expresses deep concern over the surge in the recruitment of child soldiers in the Darfur region, specifically in Central Darfur since the outbreak of the armed conflict in April 2023. ACJPS is reliably informed that the recruitment, mainly by the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) follows the same methodology used by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in the remobilization of the Popular Defense Forces (PDF) in Darfur following its calls to join them. The recruitment of child soldiers to join the RSF is facilitated by the native administration members who are either in the PDF or are RSF officers.

African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) strongly condemns the violations against children by both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militia in Sudan. In this release, ACJPS has documented an incident where 66 children were arrested in West Darfur by the RSF amidst allegations of recruitment of child soldiers into the armed conflict.

The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) expresses its utmost concern over the physical safety and wellbeing of four Sudanese citizens including three human rights defenders detained by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). They were detained between 10th October and 6th November 2023 and have remained in RSF detention in Zalingi city, Central Darfur to date.