The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Ms Clementine Nkweta-Salami, has expressed deep concern over the escalating armed violence in Aj Jazirah State, which has reportedly claimed the lives of scores of civilians.
“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. These are atrocious crimes,” said Nkweta-Salami in a press release dated October 26.
Aj Jazirah State, whose capital is Wad Madani, lies between the Blue Nile and the White Nile in east-central Sudan.
Nkweta-Salami said that preliminary reports between October 20 and 25 indicated that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a major attack across eastern Aj Jazirah.
RSF fighters, her press release said, reportedly shot at civilians indiscriminately, perpetrated acts of sexual violence against women and girls, committed widespread looting of markets and homes and burned down farms.
“Residents from several villages, including Safita Ghanoubab, Al- Hilaliya, and Al-Aziba, were reportedly subjected to physical assaults, humiliation, and threats resulting in scores of civilians fleeing their homes for safety,” it reads.
“Women, children, and the most vulnerable are bearing the brunt of a conflict that has already taken far too many lives,” it adds.
The numbers of civilian casualties from the attacks were yet to be established, but thousands of families had fled their homes to several areas within Aj Jazirah State, while others have been displaced to Gedaref and Kassala states.
Humanitarian partners were gathering more information on the situation, alongside mobilizing to assist the hundreds of people displaced by the escalation of hostilities.
Nkweta-Salami reminded the warring factions that attacking civilians, civilian objects, and public infrastructure is prohibited by International Humanitarian Law.
“It is unacceptable and must stop immediately. Civilians must be protected wherever they are,” she asserted.