The article outlines the severe deterioration in Khartoum, Sudan, due to conflict between the SAF and RSF, emphasizing human rights violations, particularly regarding detention practices. With the RSF controlling most urban areas, civilians suffer from a lack of basic necessities. The report investigates detention conditions during the conflict, reflecting the urgent need for oversight and protection of civilian rights from April 2023 to June 2024.
Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, has faced severe humanitarian crises since the onset of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15, 2023. This conflict arose from disputes over security sector reforms, leading to gross violations of international human rights law, including unlawful killings, arbitrary detentions, and forced displacements. The humanitarian situation has deteriorated drastically, with urban warfare rendering neighborhoods uninhabitable and civilians suffering from a lack of essential resources such as clean water, food, and healthcare.
By mid-2023, the RSF gained control over large parts of Khartoum, repurposing civilian infrastructure, such as homes and schools, into makeshift military bases and detention centers. The SAF has maintained control over strategic areas by engaging intensely in combat to thwart RSF advances. As of September 2024, the SAF has initiated offensive operations to reclaim control over critical areas, leading to heightened clashes.
This report investigates the detention practices of both the SAF and RSF and examines the nature of the detention facilities used by both entities. It draws upon accounts from victims and witnesses to showcase the human rights violations occurring within these facilities. The fluctuating territorial control in Khartoum creates a volatile environment, making this report essential to understanding the detention conditions and the inherent risks faced by civilians. The focus is on the reports from April 15, 2023, to June 2024 and the conditions reported by victims in these detention facilities, highlighting the ongoing lack of oversight to protect civilian rights during hostilities.
The conflict in Khartoum State has led to significant humanitarian repercussions and widespread human rights violations. As the RSF and SAF continue to assert control over various territories, the conditions within detention facilities remain a pressing concern. Victim testimonies reveal a landscape of abuse and neglect, underscoring the urgent need for accountability and protection of civilian rights amidst ongoing hostilities. The report serves as a critical reminder of the complexities surrounding territorial control and its impact on the humanitarian situation.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
