A senior UN official reported that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are accused of committing “atrocious crimes” in Gezira state, leading to the deaths of at least 124 civilians. Following a significant defection from the RSF to the military, a new wave of violence erupted, prompting urgent appeals for humanitarian aid and intervention. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has resulted in extensive casualties and displacement, with leaders of the RSF and military engaged in a spiraling power struggle, hindering peace efforts.

The ongoing civil conflict in Sudan has escalated, raising grave concerns regarding humanitarian crises and widespread violence against civilians. Recent reports from the United Nations have highlighted serious accusations against the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), alleging their involvement in “atrocious crimes” in the central Gezira state, resulting in the deaths of at least 124 individuals. This surge of violence occurred after a significant defection from the RSF to the military, wherein one of its commanders, Abu Aqla Kayka, brought substantial forces with him. The RSF has countered the allegations, claiming their actions are directed towards militia armed by the army rather than against civilians. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, expressed deep concern over the situation, stating that preliminary findings indicated mass killings, widespread looting, and the destruction of property, including farms. The violence reportedly mirrors past atrocities witnessed in the Darfur region, where the RSF faced similar allegations of ethnic cleansing. Local activist groups reported extensive massacres and raised calls for urgent humanitarian corridors to aid those stranded in conflict-affected areas. With the conflict having resulted in over 11 million people displaced and tens of thousands of casualties since its inception in April 2023, the urgency for international intervention is evident. Moreover, the conflict highlights the contentious power struggle between the leaders of the RSF and the Sudanese military, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, respectively. Their failure to agree on a peace accord, despite interventions from the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, perpetuates the instability and humanitarian disaster in the region.

The civil war in Sudan erupted in April 2023, sparked by a fallout between the RSF and the Sudanese military, which had formed an alliance to conduct a coup in 2021 that disrupted Sudan’s path towards democracy. This power struggle has since devolved into violent confrontations, displacing millions and causing widespread deprivation. The Gezira state has emerged as a flashpoint in this violence, particularly following a major defection from the RSF to the military, which has led to brutal reprisals against civilians in the area. The allegations of atrocities underline the dire humanitarian situation and the increasing risk of genocide, prompting calls for international intervention and humanitarian aid.

In conclusion, the UN’s allegations against the RSF in Sudan underscore a severe humanitarian crisis exacerbated by ongoing violence and a power struggle between military leaders. The situation in Gezira state is particularly alarming, with reports of mass killings and widespread atrocities against civilians. As displacement continues to rise, and with previous warnings echoing past genocidal acts, there is an urgent need for global awareness and intervention to protect vulnerable populations and restore peace in Sudan.

Original Source: www.bbc.com

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