Mass Graves Discovered as Kidnappings Rise
Current Figures
IOM: 2,414,625 IDPs
UNHCR: Over 732,823 externally displaced
Chad: 260,390 (Sudanese refugees: 260,390)
Egypt: 255,565 (Sudanese refugees: 250,000; Other refugees: 5,565)
South Sudan: 174,340 (Sudanese refugees: 11,685; Other refugees: 3,336; Refugee returnees: 159,319)
Ethiopia: 25,540 (Sudanese refugees: 15,905; Other refugees: 9,313; Refugee returnees: 322)
CAR: 16,988 (Sudanese refugees: 12,287, Refugee returnees: 4,701)
Mass Grave Discovered in Darfur
A mass grave with over 87 bodies was discovered in West Darfur in an act of genocide committed by the RSF, according to the UN. The announcement was made last Thursday during a regional summit that was held in Cairo, focused on solving the war in Sudan. “The UN said the mass grave includes the bodies of Masalit people, an indication of the ethnically-motivated fighting taking place in the state.” The RSF has denied any involvement in the events occurring in West Darfur. A source from the RSF informed the UN that they were being “accused due to political motivations from the Masalit and others, with the force ready to comply with an investigation and to hand over any fighters who have broken the law.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who has close ties with the SAF, stated at the summit that the regional plan of action included a proposed three month ceasefire, opening communication between the SAF and RSF, and allowing safe passage for humanitarian aid. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has contentions with Egypt, pushed for the regional countries to align with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s (IGAD) previous proposal to send peacekeeping forces, a plan that was rejected by Sudan’s army-aligned foreign ministry. Ahmed stated, “As neighbouring countries working to overcome our own internal challenges, we should not be perceived to impart wisdom to our sisterly nation, nor should we further complicate a fragile situation by extending its longevity.” The SAF also boycotted the summit as they objected to Kenya's involvement, citing them as biassed. However, Burhan did speak with Kenyan President William Ruto on the phone yesterday, showing Ruto’s attempt to “prove his impartiality against accusations of close business ties with Hemedit with whom he did business in the past” under Bashir’s regime.
ICC Prosecutor Karim A. Khan briefed the UN Security Council on Thursday about the ongoing situation in Sudan:
“We are, by any analysis, not on the precipice of a human catastrophe but in the very midsts of one. It is occurring. [...] If this oft repeated phrase of ‘never again’ is to mean anything, it must mean something here and now for the people of Darfur that have lived with this uncertainty and pain and scars of conflict for almost two decades. [...] We need to show that we are delivering more than words and promises. We need to show demonstrable action. [...] We need to see actual justice.”
Civilians Kidnapped and Held Hostage
According to a statement made on Saturday by the Professional Pharmacists Association of Sudan, 11,000 victims of war crimes have been buried thus far in El Geneina. Additionally, reports of RSF kidnapping girls and women and holding them hostage are occurring across the country. According to the Pharmacists Association, 3,500 civilians have been kidnapped and held in detention centres in Khartoum, stating that torture is involved. The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) also reported that an unidentified number of girls and women were kidnapped from Khartoum and Darfur and are being held hostage in a dormitory at Nyala University. Both parties pointed to the RSF being responsible for these actions and state concern that the “hostages are subject to torture, sexual violence, and abuse.”
Food Insecurity To Worsen
Farmers in Sudan have stated that the war is putting their staple crops at further risk this year. Planting crop delays are partially due to banks limiting loans and the rise in prices of fertilisers, fuel, and seeds. Some farmers have stated that they may not be able to plant at all before the rainy season arrives, which is expected later this month. The United Nations warned in May that the number of people going hungry could rise to 19.1 million, a nearly 3 million increase. Farmers have stated fears that they believe Sudan is being threatened with a famine. Acute food insecurity would also increase poverty in the country, as 65% of Sudanese are involved in the agriculture sector. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FA) stated that it had begun an “emergency distribution of sorghum, millet, groundnut and sesame seeds” and hopes to meet the needs of 13-19 million people. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) stated it would continue to monitor the situation over the next six months once harvesting has completed.
Looking Forward
The war in Sudan has entered its fourth month with no progress made in negotiations. Burhan and Hemedti continually refuse to acknowledge, let alone participate, in various talks among regional leaders. Sanctions have thus far shown to be inconsequential as both warring sides have ramped up fighting. While the SAF is also involved in human rights abuses, the RSF has committed a plethora of atrocities on civilians and shows no sign of stopping.
The kidnapping and hostage situation is likely to develop into similar situations that have occurred across Africa in the instances of ‘bush wives’. This not only creates a dangerous and traumatic situation for victims, but also contributes to long-term security and human rights issues for the country. Former hostages in post-conflicts environments are frequently stigmatised and not welcomed back into society, furthering an isolated and hazardous lifestyle with many girls and women being forced to prostitute themselves in order to survive. Additionally, drug use becomes increasingly likely in order for victims to deal with trauma, contributing to the breakdown of society. Such a case can be seen in the post-conflict society of Sierra Leone, which left many traumatised, in extreme poverty, and with limited resources. Should the crisis in Sudan develop into a similar long-term civil war, the consequences on Sudanese society will be felt for decades.
While ICC Prosecutor Karim A. Khan rightfully acknowledges the horrific state that Sudanese civilians are facing and advocates that justice must be sought, it is questionable as to how such justice will be acquired. Burhan and Hemedti have been able to dodge the ICC in the past, both having committed human rights atrocities during the Darfur genocide. A motivation for their continuance of war is in order to avoid accountability by the ICC. This brings to question what types of compromises may be made in the future in order for the conflict to come to cessation. Will either leader—or both—be granted impunity for the actions they are currently committing? Will their soldiers be granted the same and reintroduced back into society? Will the Sudanese, particularly girls and women, be dismissed for the murders, rapes, and torture they endured in order to bring ‘peace’? The rhetoric of ‘never again’ is an ineffectual sentiment that permits the international community to make big statements while actually doing very little, effectively using emotional claims to dismiss action towards atrocities committed on civilians. This international rhetoric forces those fortunate enough to survive such conflicts to live in trauma and impoverished environments, destabilising the country and its people for generations to come. As a second genocide is unfolding in Darfur, the setting for the world’s longest running genocide, perhaps it is time for the international community to retire ‘never again’ and refocus in order to produce tangible actions.