The deputy leader of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has called on the residents of Nyala City who have fled due to fighting to return to their homes.
RSF’s second-in-command Abdulrahim Daglo, who was sanctioned by the United States for his alleged role in ethnic cleansing in West Darfur, oversaw the battles that led to Nyala’s capture on Thursday. RSF announced the capture of Nyala from the army after fierce fighting.
Nyala, the capital of Sudan’s South Darfur State, is a strategic city connecting Sudan with the Central African Republic (CAR).
Speaking to reporters in Nyala City on Thursday night, Daglo said: “We call on the residents of Nyala town to return to their homes, and the Rapid Support Forces will secure and protect the city.”
The deputy commander announced the appointment of Police Major General Bashir Adam Issa as Director of the State Police and the promotion of Rapid Support Commander in Nyala, Brigadier General Saleh Al-Futi, to Commander of the 16th Infantry Division.
He also appealed to public prosecutors to return to their work. Daglo also directed the arrest of all members of former regime under Omar Al-Bashir.
Several civilians were reported killed during the fighting, which has forced residents of 10 neighborhoods in the city of Nyala to flee to El Fasher in North Darfur State and El Daein in East Darfur State.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, several residents of Nyala who fled to El Daein town said they may not return to their homes in Nyala as there is uncertainty about the security situation there.
Amel Mohamed Hamid, a resident of Hai Cinema who fled to El Daein, said: “We welcome the call by Abdulrahim Daglo, but what is the guarantee that fighting will not resume in Nyala? What is the guarantee that I can access services there? Markets are closed, and public institutions are closed.”
She pointed out that Hai Cinema is one of the neighborhoods affected by the fighting between the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Mayada Ibrahim, a resident of Hai Al Waha who fled to El Daien, said: “I have fled to Al Daein town due to the war in Nyala. Markets were closed, and our situation was terrible due to shelling and airstrikes. We cannot return to Nyala now because the security situation is bad, and sources of income there have become very limited.”
She added,” When the situation returns to normal, and we confirm that it is secure, I can decide to return, but now it is not safe. We also demand the return of mobile and internet services.”
Meanwhile, Maza Mohammed Basim, a Hai El Masanea North resident, said:” Our return to Nyala town will not happen in the coming few days because the situation is not clear. We fled and came to El Daein after the fighting. We are not sure if the security situation will be maintained or if the essential services and the basic needs will be available.”
Fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted on April 15 over tensions linked to a planned transition to civilian rule. It has devastated Khartoum’s capital and sparked ethnically driven attacks in the Darfur region.
After six months of fighting, an estimated 9,000 people have been killed and another 5.6 million forced to flee their homes, according to the United Nations.