Update on the armed conflict in Sudan: Continued killing and injuring of civilians, looting of private homes, release of prisoners, violation of freedom of expression and others

(30 April, 2023) African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) has continued to monitor the armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted on 15 April 2023. We reiterate our calls to both SAF and RSF to end the violent conflict that has resulted to deaths, injuries and displacement. Sudanese authorities must take all measures to protect the human rights of the Sudanese people and respect their demand for democracy.

We further call upon both the RSF and SAF to:

• Uphold the rights of civilians, including their right to life.
• Ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need without hindrance.
• Engage in peaceful dialogue to find a lasting and peaceful solution to the conflict.
• Take responsibility for any actions that have resulted in harm to civilians or other parties involved in the conflict.
• Cooperate with regional partners to find a lasting solution to the conflict. This is essential to ending the violence and ensuring peace for the people of Sudan.

We call upon regional and international bodies to intervene and deploy observers to ensure that the parties honour ceasefire agreements signed in different states.

In this report, ACJPS documents incidents and human rights violations that occurred since our last update. The period covered is 20^th to 25^th April 2023.

Status of conflict in different states

On 20 April 2023, the gunfight between SAF and RSF continued in different areas of Khartoum which led a number of civilians to flee the city and seek refuge in areas like Aljazeera State. In Elfashir, North Darfur, the parties engaged in gunfire until the intervention of Mr. Nimir Abdul Rahman, the North Darfur governor who advocated for a cease fire agreement. The agreement to cease fire was announced at around 08:00pm following a series of meetings between SAF, RSF and a committee comprising of popular figures in Elfashir. The parties also resolved to deploy police forces to guard the market and other forces in the Sudan Peace Agreement, 2020 to guard the other areas of Elfashir. The agreement stipulated that armed SAF and RSF officers are not to be allowed in the market.

In Zalingi, Central Darfur, there has been a decrease in gunfire exchange between the two parties since 20^th April 2023. This can be attributed to a committee comprising of public figures in Zalingi. The committee has engaged both SAF and RSF in talks towards a ceasefire agreement.

In Alobeid, North Kordofan, the situation was very intense with serious gunfire exchange on 20 April 2023 which resulted into the death of 47 civilians and 5 police officers. Later on, 25 April 2023, the local authorities of Alobeid announced a curfew from 10:00pm to 05:00am. SAF announced that had taken control of Alobeid and the situation in general. However, ACJPS received information from reliable sources that there are still sounds of gunshots and explosions from time to time on a lower scale.

On 25 April 2023, the West Darfur Native Administration (NA), youth leaders and other community leaders came together and agreed to observe the security in West Darfur without involving any of the parties to the conflict. Presently, SAF controls its headquarters while RSF has been in control of Sebira airport in Elgenina since the beginning of the conflict on 15 April 2023. The initiative was led by Mr. Saad Bahar Eldien, the Sultan (head) of Masalite tribe and the head of West Darfur Native Administration. The Native Administration also agreed to re- open the market in Elgenina and launch peace talks on 25 April 2023. Unfortunately, at around 09:35am, RSF attacked the base/headquarters of the joint forces in Elgenina. The said headquarters was established in 2010 by Sudanese and Chadian forces at the border. SAF intervened to support the joint forces but unfortunately the situation worsened and resultantly led to the breaking into weapon stores belonging to police and prisons. SAF managed to push the RSF troops from the central to the southern side of Elgenina where the fight continued. Several civilians were killed at their homes as a result of the gunfight.

In the morning of 25 April 2023, in Khartoum, there was a short-lived peace with no sound of gunshots or explosions. But at around 02:00pm, military aircrafts belonging to SAF air bombed Aljereef neighborhood resultantly killing several civilians. The aircraft then moved to Al kalakla neighborhood in South Khartoum targeting a residential area and the office of the Al kalakla local Council killing at least 15 people. Mr. Husham Sidiq Mohamed, an eye witness narrated to ACJPS that “It was quiet morning in Al kalakla until later in the day when I saw military aircrafts in our neighborhood. After around 5 to 10 minutes, the aircrafts threw two bombs targeting specific area. Sixteen houses were completely destroyed due to the bombings. Neither soldiers nor vehicles belonging to RSF were present in the area. Unfortunately, my neighbor died and approximately 15 people were injured as a result of the bombings. We thank God that my family and I survived with minor injuries”

In Omdurman, the aircraft targeted the neighborhood of Alfetihab also known as Allasilki which is also home to Omdurman Radio broadcast.

During the attacks on 23 and 23 April 2023, SAF concentrated and focused on South and West Omdurman in the areas of Almanswrah and Alamir locality also known as Umbanda. At least 12 people were killed (6 from each area) during the attacks.

Incidents of conflict

On 20 April 2023, there was a gunfire exchange between RSF and SAF. RSF attacked SAF troops that were travelling in 35 military vehicles from Kadogli in South Kordofan. RSF managed to divert some of the troops and some were captured as “prisoners of war”.

On 22 April 2023, there was another gunfight between SAF and RSF as troops belonging to SAF were on their way to Khartoum from Senar State. RSF attacked and diverted the SAF troops as the way approaching Almsawdiah in Aljazeera State.

On the same day in a separate incident, RSF ambushed SAF troops moving from Almyram in West Kordofan heading to Khartoum.

In another development, on 22 April 2023, General Abdul Rahim Dagalo, the deputy commander of RSF appeared in video among his troops in Al-haj Yousef in Khartoum Bahari. In the video clip, Mr. Dagalo announced that RSF is in control of the SAF base. He also called upon Gen. Al-Burhan, Gen. Alkbashi, Gen. Yasser Alattah and Gen. Ibrahim Jabir and other members of SAF in Sovereign Council to come up and join RSF.

Between 20^th and 22^nd April 2023, there were gunfights between RSF and SAF on the road linking Aljazeera and Khartoum, Alslamah, Alfetihab and Almnswra neighborhoods of Omdurman, Shmbate and Alhaj Yousef neighborhoods of Khartoum Bahari,

Looting and militarization of private homes in Khartoum

Since the outbreak of the armed conflict on 15 April 2023, residents of Khartoum Bahari especially those living near SAF headquarter, across the Blue Nile bridge, Alsababi, Helat Hamad, Almarganih and Mugtrbeen fled to other fairly safer areas. As soon as the houses were empty, SAF and RSF troops within the control areas broke in to use the facilities and occupied them. Therefore, residents who returned to collect some items from their homes were unable to do so. Those who were able to access their homes reported that their valuables had been taken.

Although the looting started with the outbreak of the armed conflict in the areas of Khartoum 3 neighborhood and Afrangi Market of Khartoum, recently the group has targeted the industrial area and food factories, factories manufacturing medicine in Khartoum and items such as vehicles and electronics and factory machines.

 Violation of Freedom of Expression

On 15 April 2023, all telecommunication companies operating in Khartoum received letters from Sudanese authorities of ordering them to disconnect the internet services from the public however, only one company (MTN) hid to the order/instructions but restored the service the following say.

On 22 April 2023, consumers were unable to access services from Sudani Telecommunication Company but it was restored on 25 April 2023. ACJPS was reliably informed that this was due to shortage of fuel. Additionally, Zain telecommunication company services became very slow during the night of 22 April 22 due to the damage caused by the bombing resultantly effecting some servers.

In evening of 21 April 2023, RSF took over Omdurman National Radio broadcast and interfered with the broadcast with coverage only within Khartoum State. ACJPS was reliably informed that Sudan National Television building is presently under the control of RSF as its broadcast is out of service.

Evacuation of foreigners and delegates

On 22 April 2023, Arab countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait among others started an evacuation missions through Eastern Sudan using military envoy from Port Sudan in Red Sea.

Other countries such as United States of America, France and Germany used Wade Sidna military airport to evacuate their citizens. Reliable sources informed ACJPS that a French citizen was injured during the evacuation process but neither SAF nor RSF took accountability and instead played the blame game.

Egypt evacuated its citizens through the South boarder to Egypt by road. The Egyptian Embassy in Khartoum released a statement stating that one of their staff was shot and injured. The circumstances under which this happened were not disclosed.

On 23 April 2023, the United Nations and other International NGOs staff living in Khartoum were evacuated to Red Sea State. Those living in Central and West Darfur were evacuated from Zalingi to Elgenina then across the border to Chad. The INGOs, SAF and RSF reached an agreement to ensure the safety of the convoy through Central and West Darfur as they leave the country.

RSF in coordination with Red Cross handed over and evacuated 27 Egyptians soldiers to Cairo through Dungla airport in Northern Sudan.

On 25 April, 2023 INGOs staff in East Darfur were evacuated by Land to South Sudan.

Release of prisoners

 On 21 April 2023, approximately 7000 prisoners were released from Alhuda prison in Khartoum State as the prison guards claimed that RSF had attacked the prison. Similarly, on 22 April 2023, in Suba and Omdurman Women prisons, RSF accessed the prisons and thus the prisoners broke out and escaped.

On 23 April 2023, prisoners detained in Kober prison in Khartoum Bahari broke out of the prison. Sudanese police forces released a statement indicating that former president Omer Al-Bashir and other two prisoners indicted by the ICC (former NCP leaders arrested after April 2019) were moved to a safe location guarded by police. ACJPS however cannot verify this information.

SAF accused RSF of breaking out prisoners out of prison while RSF also accused SAF and former NCP leaders of the same.

Effects of the armed conflict on the Health Sector 

In Darfur State, RSF and SAF agreed to ceasefire. In North Darfur, the agreement was reduced to writing and both parties appended their signatures. In Central Darfur however, the parties entered into a “gentleman’s” agreement. The residents are putting efforts to restore some medical centers and assist the injured people. The situation was different in Khartoum as a number of health facilities are not functional and those that are functional and operational are hard to reach due to the restrictions of movements, lack of water and power and the continuing gunfights made it difficult for health facilities to operate. Reports show that in intensive care patients are dying as they are not being attended to. Patients suffering from terminal illnesses remain unattended to.

Several medical personnels have been killed as a result of the conflict.

Situation at Marwai Airport

The gunfights between SAF and RSF erupted on 15 April 2023 over the control of Marwai airport in Northern State. This has resulted into damage and destruction of the runway at the airport. Several aircrafts were burnt down; two belonging to Egyptian air force were burnt down on 15 April, six other Egyptian aircrafts were burnt down on 18 April. Twenty nine aircrafts, six FTC aircrafts and one antinovel aircraft belonging to Sudanese air force were burnt by RSF.

Names of Missing people

1. Ahmed Hussam Abu Araki
2. Rwaa (f) from Helat Hamad neighborhood in Khartoum Bahari. Has been missing since 18^th April, 2023
3. Adam Bakhit Mohamed Fadallah from Alshiglah neighborhood of Omdurman. Has been missing since 15^th April, 2023
4. Hashem Mohamed Al-hassan (m) from Khartoum. Has been missing since 15^th April, 2023. Was last seen near SAF club in Khartoum.
5. Tariq Mohamed Al-hussien (m) Omdurman Althura neighborhood. Has been missing since 16^th April, 2023 around 04:00pm
6. Ali Alhussien (m) an advocate from Alryad Khartoum. Has been missing since 19^th
7. Sidiq Ismail Mohamed Tahir (m) from Khartoum
8. Mohamed Alhadi Isa Ibid (m) a doctor from Khartoum East Duom
9. Suleiman Hamid Suliman (m) from Khartoum. Has been missing since 23^rd April
10. Sidig Ismail (m). He is said to have been driving from Almohansen neighborhood in Omdurman heading to Khartoum on 20^th April, 2024
11. Ahmed Mahmood (m) aged 90. He was suffering from dementia and heart disease. He lived in Thura neighborhood in Omdurman and has been missing since 21^st April, 2023

11. Mohamed Mudathier Mohadeen (m). He was on his way from Toti in Khartoum to Khartoum Central Market on 25^th April, 2023

Names of Humanitarian workers who have been killed

1. Ahmed Osman Fadul (m), aged 49. He was working at IOM in kadogli base, South Kordofan. He was shot in the chest by armed robbers while on his way from Alobeid in North Kordofan to Kadogli in South Kordfan on 21 April 2023.
2. Mohamed Osman Yagoup (m), aged 36. He was working with World Food Program in Kabkabia base, North Darfur State. He succumbed to injuries sustained after he was shot on 15^th April 2023.

Names of people killed from different states;

North Kordofan State

1. Abakar Idris Haroun (m)
2. Abu Klam Idris Zakary (m)
3. Halil Alrhed Abdallah (m)
4. Emad Jebreel Hamed (m)
5. Ard Alyman Hussien (m)
6. Badur Eldien Musa Wali (m)
7. Ali Suliman Teah Kuah (m)
8. Hamad Khalifa Hamad (m)
9. Emad Ibrahim Suliman (m)
10. Almonzir Alfadul Hamad (m)
11. Ahmed Jamea Dafa Allah Alnoor (m)
12. Salih Abdallalh Ahmed (m)
13. Khidir Aldai (m)
14. Hamad Adam Saleh (m)
15. Hassan Kathier Mala (m)
16. Ahmed Mohamed Haroun (m)
17. Alfatih Almalih Idris (m)
18. Mohamed Adam Ahmed (m)
19. Nizar Mohamed Yousef (m)
20. Badawi FadlLlH Fadul Jumah (m)
21. Alhadi Mossad Hamed (m)
22. Mubarak Mohamed (m)
23. Abdul Rahman Hamed Abdul Rahman (m)
24. Amona Ibrahim (f)
25. Wedaf Anwar Musa (f)
26. Alnazer Abu Sham (m)
27. Hussam Eldien Abdul Majeed (m)
28. Mihamed Hamza Abdul Latif (m)
29. Ahmed Adam Hamad (m)
30. Huyam Ali Younis (m)
31. Niazi Taj Eldien Albushari (m)
32. Gada Abdul Majeed Tabir Humida (f)
33. Zinab Alfatih Noor Eldien (f) aged 15 years
34. Adam Kathir Mala (m)
35. Osman Ahmed Mahil (m)
36. Musa Abdul Hafiz Algali (m)
37. Ali Yousef Matar (m)
38. Uzaz Mohamed Zayed (f)
39. Mohamed Ismail Hamad (m)
40. Khalid Ibrahim Bakhit (m)
41. Abdul Malik Abu Bakar(m)
42. Ahmed Mohamed Yagoup (m)
43. Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed (m)
44. Majdi Mugadam Osman (m) aged 17 years
45. Mohamed Aljili Far (m) aged 9 years
46. Hassan Abdul Rahman (m)
47. Suleiman TJ Eldien (m)
48. Ibrahim Saad (m)
49. Mubarak Majdi Kramah (m)
50. Hassan Abdul Rahman (m).
51. Ismail Maki Abdul Hadi (m)
52. Ibrahim a Homeless man
53. Homeless man commonly known as Kinkish
54. Alhussien a homeless man

Khartoum State

Several civilians have lost their lives as result of shock from the sounds of gunfire or lack of medical assistance.

• Sarah Alamin (f) from Alkalkla neighborhood of Khartoum died from shock.
• Three young female Ethiopian refugees from Alhelah Aljadidah and Almamowra neighborhoods in Khartoum beside and Althura in Omdurman
• Aymen Salah Eldien (m)
• Ahmed Abu Araki (m), shot dead in the car in Khartoum 2 neighborhood in Khartoum.
• Suhair Abdallah Al-Bashir (m) from Alsnhori
• Ahmed Alryah Alsnhori (f), a legal Advisor
• Mohamed Alryah (m) and three family members were killed by a bomb at their sister’s home in Central Khartoum at Almak Nimir Street.
• Liema Najm Eldien (m) and her husband were shot while driving from Aljerif in Khartoum to Khartoum Bahari on 24 April 2023.
• Adam Hamid Dunkus (m), a retired police officer was killed by a bomb in Alkalakla neighborhood on 25 April, 2023.
• Suliman Mohamed Hadsan (m), was shot in his head in East Nile, Khartoum Bahari
• Anar Ali (m), killed on 20 April, 2023.
• Faridah Abdul Monim (f)
• Walid Alsrouq (m).
• Mali Mansor (m)
• Tamadur Fuzi (f) a minor. Shot dead next to SAF headquarters
• Two unknown people killed in Alfetihab neighborhood of Omdurman on 25 April.
• Six people killed in Almamourah neighborhood of Omdurman during the cross fire between SAF and RSF on 20 April, 2023.
• Six people killed in Almir also known as Umbadah in West Omdurman as result on 21 April, 2023

North Darfur State  

1. Abrar Yousef Ahmed (f), aged 26 from Almahad neighborhood in Elfashir, North Darfur,
2. Mohamed Ahmed Ali (m), aged 50 from Abdallah village located in Northern Elfashir town. He was shot by an armed group riding motorcycles on the main street

Central Darfur.

1. Sadam Idris Juma (m)
2. Idris Juma (m) was killed at home by a bomb on 16^th April 2023.
3. Yasir Hassan (m) shot dead on 16^th April 2023.
4. Nasri Eldien Ahmed (m), an IDP at Alhasahisa camp succumbed to injuries on 24^th She was shot on 16^th April, 2023.
5. Sami Ibrahim Omer (m) was shot at his place of work on 25^th April, 2023
6. Asim Ibrahim (m)
7. Elteyb Adam Sheikh Eldien (m)