Rapid Support Forces: Tactics of bloodshed and violence against civilians in Sudan is not new

Authorities must ensure independent and effective investigations that include violations by RSF against protesters, and civilians in war regions

(27 June 2019) Millions of Sudanese were hopeful for a regime change, and an end to decades of brutality by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) following the ouster of former President, Omar al Bashir after months of yet the longest and the most significant protests in Sudan’s history. However, many were left disappointed but still hopeful after security agencies including the government-backed paramilitary RSF brutally dispersed a sit-in outside the army headquarters in Khartoum on 3 June 2019.

The sit-in had lasted since 6 April 2019, and pro-democracy protesters had vowed to continue until the Transitional Military Council(TMC) cedes power to civilian authority. The seven-member TMC was established with a mandate of overseeing a two-year transitional period after the Sudanese Army ousted al Bashir on 11 April 2019.

The violent attack unfortunately did not only end the sit-in, but also ended negotiations to form a joint transitional council between the TMC and Alliance for Freedom and Change(AFC), an umbrella organization for opposition and protests organizers. The TMC instead called for a general election in the next nine months.

The AFC has since laid conditions that must be fulfilled before negotiations can resume, including; an admission by the TMC of responsibility in the attack, release of the all political and war prisoners, restoration of internet services, and withdrawal of military from the streets in Khartoum.

Ten days after the 3 June massacre in Khartoum, the TMC admitted that it ordered the dispersal of the sit-in outside the Army headquarters which by “mistake” left scores dead, hundreds injured, arrested and/or disappeared.

In a press conference, shams al-Din Kabashi, the TMC spokesman admitted that all members of the TMC and security officers had convened the night before, on 2 June and agreed to disperse protesters. The Sudanese Attorney General and the Head of the Judiciary were both present in the meeting and even gave undisclosed advice to the TMC.

Investigation process and the dismissal of general prosecutor by TMC    

On13 June, the TMC promised to investigate the massacre and “hold accountable anyone, regardless of their rank, if proven to have committed violations.”

ACJPS received reliable information that an investigation committee headed by the prosecutor general was formed to investigate the massacre. The committee however includes some members of the security forces including, the RSF who took lead in the massacre.

At the start of the investigations, approximately 400 members of RSF were arrested as suspects of the massacre and were detained in Suba prison in Khartoum. However, a reliable source informed ACJPS that the alleged “suspects” agreed to a deal with the TMC to be detained for a few days and would be released thereafter. The arrest was merely a show to the international community that investigations had commenced.

On 20 June, ACJPS received reliable information indicating that, prosecutor general, Alwaleed Sayed Ahmed was dismissed by TMC and was replaced by Abdullah Ahmed. Alwaleed had recently been appointed prosecutor general for Sudan after the overthrow of President Omar al Bashir in April 2019 and was heading the investigation committee.

After being appointed head of the investigation committee in June, Mr Alwaleed admitted participating in the meeting convened by the TMC to disperse the sit-in but claimed to have left by the time the purge operations were discussed. It is still unknown whether his dismissal relates to his role in the ongoing investigations of the 3 June massacre.

Meanwhile the TMC has since then rejected and ignored calls by the opposition and international community to permit investigations by independent bodies of the United Nations and African Union, claiming that Sudan is a sovereign state.

Role of the RSF in the 3 June Massacre in Khartoum

Killings, Torture, Rape and Property destruction; tools previously used by the genocidal Janjaweed militia against civilians in Darfur and other regions.

On 3 June 2019, at about 5:00AM, the RSF jointly with the national security officers, including child soldiers armed with automatic guns, tear gas, woods, sticks and leather lashes violently dispersed the sit-in outside the Army headquarters, popularly known among the protesters as strikers’ square or Columbia. The attack, aimed at dispersing pro-democracy peaceful protesters left at least 119 people killed ( see Annex 1), hundreds injured (see Annex 2) and/or arrested, several raped and properties of protesters looted. The joint forces prevented and even attacked medical workers for trying to save injured protesters, including inside hospitals.

According to a reliable source, more than 40 bodies were recovered from the waters after security forces tried to camouflage the extent of their crimes, by throwing bodies into the River Nile, weighing them down with bricks. some victims were allegedly raped inside a clinic attached to Khartoum University where they had run for safety from the security officers. Personal belongings of protesters including vehicles and tents were burned. Several protesters hid themselves in nearby buildings for more than 24 hours, and those tried to leave their hideouts after 2 days were beaten by the security forces who by then, were patrolling the streets.

Earlier, thousands of pro-democracy protesters who gathered to demand for transfer of power to a civilian government by TMC had erected road blocks using stones and blocks primarily at the entrance of the Army headquarters, and surrounding streets including Aljama and Albaladia streets. Volunteers from amongst protesters searched every person entering the sit-in to ensure no weapons or sharp objects were smuggled in.

The roadblocks were to intended increase pressure on the TMC, one of the reasons why people guarding the roadblocks, popularly known as Tarasawere the first to be attacked by security forces on 3 June after several attempts earlier to remove the barricades.

In May, the head of the TMC, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan even briefly suspended negotiations between the TMC and the opposition for 72 hours and demanded that the barricades be removed.

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