Resistance Committees report continued violations by RSF in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah State

February 24, 2024 (WAD MADANI) – The neighbourhood Resistance committees in Al-Jazirah State, centrally located in Sudan, have reported new human rights violations committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which control of the state since December 2023.

Following the repeated reports about alleged violations and condemnation from various Sudanese circles and human rights organizations, the paramilitary group issued a statement claiming to be pursuing “unruly groups” responsible for the reported abuses.

However, the Resistance Committees of Al-Hasahisa, in a statement received by Sudan Tribune on Saturday, refuted the RSF’s claims: “The Rapid Support militia continues to violate the villages of Tabit, even as recently as Friday.”

They further allege that despite residents handing over their belongings, money, and vehicles, the RSF continues to “kill, loot, and displace” civilians in the affected villages.

The committees reported unconfirmed accounts of the RSF killing one civilian in the village of “Maryud” and three others in Tanub.

Communication outages throughout Sudan, allegedly implemented by the RSF since February 7th, have hindered independent verification of these claims. The restoration of communication services has been limited, with only the Darfur region experiencing full access.

The Hasahisa Resistance Committees claim the RSF tortured residents of the village of “Ftais,” including shooting them in the legs and threatening to kill women and children, forcing them to flee on foot to Al-Manaqil, under army control.

The Resistance Committees in Wad Madani the capital of Jazira State reported that the RSF kidnapped and blindfolding women, and took them to unknown detention centres.

The committees also claimed ongoing looting, theft, and threats by RSF members deployed within residential neighbourhoods. They further described a shortage of food and consumer goods with rising prices due to the closure of large markets, and a scarcity of medicines after the RSF allegedly looted most pharmacies.

The RSF’s well-documented history of looting houses, vehicles, and ransacking markets, banks, and public facilities eroded public trust and, according to observers, damaged their leader’s political prospects.

(ST)