A cautious calm now envelops Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur State, after it fell into the hands of the Rapid Support Forces on Tuesday.

The development has left Zalingei residents with mixed feelings with some expressing relief that the battle was relatively short and did not result in casualties.

However, internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Hasahisa camp remain wary due to recent incidents of looting and attacks on those who recently moved to the city center and the eastern side in a new wave of displacements.

One of the displaced individuals, Maryoma Abakar, shared her heartbreaking story and revealed that her grandmother died when armed men stormed the camp and besieged young men on suspicion of their affiliation with the army.

Fatima, another IDP, reported widespread looting of carts, rickshaws, and furniture, some of which were destroyed.

Another IDP named Khalil revealed that army personnel had scattered in various directions after fleeing their command. This led the RSF to suspect that they infiltrated the IDP camp.

Abdel Moneim, a youth from the displaced persons camp in square 4, informed Radio Tamazuj that the RSF is striving to establish security in the camp, but unruly individuals, referred to as “Kanjkaja,” continue to threaten and loot the displaced population, even stealing money from him and preventing him from obtaining food for his children.

Other displaced people also confirmed Abdel Moneim’s account, stating that the troublemakers forced them to leave the camp due to looting.

This recent insecurity has compelled many displaced individuals to leave their homes in search of safer areas, despite the RSF’s efforts to persuade them to stay put. According to some displaced persons, there is a need for more confidence-building in the next phase of the RSF’s engagement with the displaced population, particularly in addressing the issue of renegades.