Who are we?
We are an independent, non-governmental, non-profit organization that works to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms in Sudan and other regions around the world, we do this by monitoring human rights violations, focusing on monitoring human rights violations in Sudan, we believe that all people have the right to live in peace and security without fear of violations, discrimination and violence, we strongly believe in the existence of human rights violations against civilians. We know that these violations are often suppressed by wars, conflicts and disputes, and civilians, women and children, are the most vulnerable, our vision is to reduce human rights violations against civilians, and achieve justice for victims of human rights violations.
Background about Kutum City:
Kutum is the second largest city in North Darfur State economically and demographically after El Fasher, 100 kilometers west of it, the city is inhabited by a group of African tribes, Fur, Tunjur, Zaghawa, and Berti, in addition to pastoral groups and Arab Bedouin minorities, the region is characterized by the diversity of its economic activities, as its residents practice agriculture, trade, and herding as primary activities, they are also linked by strong social relations and values that enhance cooperation and solidarity, and cultural and social diversity is one of its most prominent features. With the outbreak of the April 15 war, no military attacks were initially recorded in Kutum during the first weeks of the fighting that began in Khartoum, but clashes erupted in Kutum after the killing of a border guard officer affiliated with the founder of the Arab militia, Musa Hilal, on May 30, 2023. Following this, the Rapid Support Forces attacked the city of Kutum and extended their attacks to the Kassab camp for displaced persons, killing at least 25 civilians in the attack on the camp and the city, the city market, public facilities, and a large part of the Kassab camp for displaced persons were also destroyed.
On June 4, 2023, the Rapid Support Forces took over the garrison of the 22nd Brigade in Kutum, and these forces still control the area and continue to commit human rights violations against civilians.
Introduction:
As part of our ongoing efforts to monitor and document human rights violations against civilians, during the months of October and November, we collected data and testimonies from reliable sources, this report aims to shed light on the most prominent violations that were monitored during the past two months in the Kutum locality and its countryside, while analyzing patterns and trends related to these violations, the report is based on information received from the organization’s field monitoring teams, complaints submitted by victims, and reliable media reports.
Methodology
This report was prepared using a methodology based on:
1- Collecting data from the field through monitoring teams deployed in the targeted area.
2- Analyzing complaints received from victims and eyewitnesses.
3- Verifying the accuracy of the information in cooperation with independent sources.
4- Classifying violations according to their type and the areas in which they occurred.
Types of documented violations:
1- Physical assaults: Afri-Sud Organization monitored 15 cases of physical assault during the past two months in Kutum locality and its countryside, including 10 men, 3 women and 2 minor children, the violations included severe beatings, including psychological torture and treatment based on racial discrimination, and the use of various torture tools, including sharp ones, which caused serious injuries and multiple fractures.
2- Arbitrary arrests: Afri-Sud Organization monitored 22 cases of arbitrary arrests by the Rapid Support Forces against unarmed civilians in Kutum locality during the past two months, most of whom are young people and community leaders, as civilians are arrested without legal warrants or clear charges. One of the most prominent cases is the arrest of the secretary of Kassab camp for displaced persons (Ibrahim Adam) on November 16, detainees are subjected to torture, beatings and ill-treatment, and are sometimes forced to sign pledges to follow the party detaining them or pay money in exchange for their release.
3- Targeting by shelling and armed attacks: The areas of northern and eastern rural Kutum, specifically the areas of Berri and Kargi, witnessed repeated armed attacks by the Rapid Support Forces and allied Arab militias, which led to the killing of 15 civilians and the injury of 25 others. 28 villages were completely burned, including health centers and schools in those areas. Among those killed on November 25 were (Abdullah, Koko, and Yasser) from the village of Kargi, east of Kutum city.
On October 6, 2024, airstrikes carried out by the Sudanese army aircraft targeted the market of Kutum city, resulting in three casualties and the closure of the market due to the shelling.
4- Forced displacement: The ongoing attacks by the Rapid Support Forces and their Arab militias on villages have resulted in the forced displacement of thousands of civilians from their homes, amidst a complete absence of official statistics due to the fragility of security and the difficulty of reaching the affected areas, those fleeing the attacks suffer from complex humanitarian conditions represented by a severe shortage of basic necessities (food, water, and shelter), in addition to the absence of primary health services and relief support.
The continued attacks on safe villages require urgent humanitarian intervention to provide necessary assistance and protect civilians, it also requires strengthening efforts to document violations and hold responsible parties accountable.
Analysis of violations:
The collected data indicates an increase in the severity of violations during the current two months compared to previous months, with an escalation in targeting civilians in rural areas through burning villages and displacing residents from their homes, it is also noted that there is a recurring pattern of targeting passers-by on vital roads with the phenomena of looting and theft, which increases the suffering of residents during their movements, and hinders the arrival of humanitarian aid and basic consumer goods, the following indicators were recorded:
1- Increase in the rates of targeting civilians in rural areas, including burning villages and displacing residents compared to previous months.
2- Increase in the rates of arbitrary detention and arrest of young people compared to previous months.
3- Decrease in the rates of aerial bombardment inside the city of Kutum compared to previous months.
4- Violations are concentrated in rural areas and targeting African agricultural groups more than in previous months.
5- Continued phenomena of killing civilians, sexual violence, and ethnic discrimination
Recommendations:
1- Afri-Sud Organization calls on the conflicting parties to immediately stop violations against civilians and respect international humanitarian law to protect lives and ensure peace and stability.
2- Afri-Sud Organization recommends that local and international stakeholders strengthen international oversight in the affected areas and pressure the conflicting parties to immediately stop violations against civilians and provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the displaced and victims of violations.
3- Afri-Sud Organization calls on local and international media to shed light on violations against civilians to raise international awareness and pressure for urgent action to stop human rights violations.
4- Afri-Sud Organization also calls on human rights organizations to intensify documentation efforts and prepare legal files to hold those responsible for violations accountable.
5- Afri-Sud calls on local authorities in Kutum to immediately investigate the documented violations and hold their perpetrators accountable.
Conclusion:
This report reflects the extent of the ongoing violations against civilians in Kutum locality in North Darfur over the past two months, and highlights the urgent need for concerted local and international efforts to stop these violations and ensure the protection of human dignity. Afri-Sud renews its full commitment to stand by civilians and defend their rights in the face of ongoing violations, while continuing to closely monitor the situation, we hope that this report will contribute to pushing the concerned parties to take concrete measures to protect civilians and hold those responsible for these crimes accountable.
Prepared by: Afri-Sud Monitors for Human Rights Violations.
Date: November 30, 2024.