Egypt condemns RSF militia’s blatant attacks on defenseless civilians in Sudan’s Al Jazirah

CAIRO – 31 October 2024: Egypt has strongly condemned the blatant attacks carried out by the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in eastern Al Jazirah state, targeting innocent civilians including children, women and elders.

In a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, Egypt said it has been closely following the events in eastern Jazeera State amid fierce attacks by the RSF.

The ministry highlighted that these attacks have resulted in the displacement of thousands of Sudanese people from their homes, constituting a flagrant violation of the principles of international humanitarian law.

HEAVY TOLL

Since the defection of Abu Aqla Keikel, a former commander at the RSF in Al Jazirah, earlier in October, the militia reportedly carried out retaliatory attacks on villages of the state, targeting his ethnic group.

An attack on Al-Seriha village resulted in the reported death of at least 124 people and shocking circulated videos showed bodies lining up for burial in the village.

Other assaults occurred in Tamboul and Rufaa towns, with hundreds reportedly killed and instances of sexual violence, abductions and looting.

The RSF also reportedly detained and mistreated civilians, confiscated communication devices, and destroyed crops, worsening food insecurity in a region crucial for Sudan's food supply.

This violence has displaced thousands into Gedaref and Kassala, exacerbating Sudan's displacement crisis.

The war between the RSF and Sudan’s Armed Forces began in April 2023, killing more than 24,000 people, according to war-monitoring group Armed Conflict Location and Event Data. The war also witnessed atrocities and war crimes, including mass rape and ethnic cleansing.

Moreover, an estimated 14 million people were displaced, constituting around 30 percent of the population, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday.

DEFECTION & RETALIATION

The Sudanese foreign ministry accused the RSF of launching “retaliatory attacks on villages and towns in eastern Al Jazirah … after leaders from that state defected and joined the army."

The ministry described the attacks as "amounting to genocide and ethnic cleansing."

Clementine Nkweta-Salami, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, highlighted preliminary reports regarding indiscriminate shooting and perpetrated acts of sexual violence and widespread looting committed by the RSF in Al Jazirah.

“I am shocked and deeply appalled that human rights violations of the kind witnessed in Darfur last year – such as rape, targeted attacks, sexual violence, and mass killings – are being repeated in Aj Jazirah State,” said Nkweta-Salami in a statement this week.

“These are atrocious crimes,” said Nkweta-Salami. “Women, children, and the most vulnerable are bearing the brunt of a conflict that has already taken far too many lives.”

CALL FOR CEASEFIRE

In its foreign ministry statement, Egypt reiterated the importance of preserving Sudanese national institutions as the pillars of the state and the only way to maintain Sudan's unity and integrity.

Meanwhile, Egypt reaffirmed its call for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan and the implementation of the principles of the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan in order to safeguard the resources of the Sudanese people.

The ministry added that a ceasefire would enable a serious humanitarian response from all parties of the international community and a comprehensive political solution that fulfills the aspirations of the Sudanese people.

Egypt emphasized sparing no effort, in collaboration with its partners, to stop the shedding of blood of the Sudanese people, while assisting them in overcoming their ordeal.