The paramilitary force fighting the army in Sudan has taken control of a town in South Darfur, prompting clashes, looting and a new wave of displacement, according to witnesses and conflict observers on Monday, July 17.
Also the International Organisation for Migration has stated that the conflict between the Rapid Support Forces, RSF, and the army in Kas (a town) had prompted at least 5,000 households to take flight and seek refuge in the camps for displaced people.
The war that began between the army and the RSF in the capital city of Khartoum has led to an increase of ethnically-charged violence and displacement in Darfur, RSF’s power base.
The RSF had yesterday, July 16, revealed that it had taken control of an army base in Kas, commandeering vehicles and weapons and imprisoning 30 soldiers as part of the wider conflict.
The Darfur Bar Association monitoring the conflict had condemned the Kas attack.
Reports have revealed that the mode of attacks mostly against non-Arab communities was similar to those deployed by the Sudanese government and the allied Janjaweed militias in 2003-2004 when mass cruelty were committed in the fight to crush a rebellion.
Note that the RSF had formed from the Janjaweed militias into a larger and more well-equipped fighting force with official status.
As of Monday, July 17, over 3 million people (including the over 700,000 persons who have crossed into neighbouring countries) have been displaced as a result of the strife in the country.
Fighting is still raging on in Khartoum, as the RSF had over the weekend, hit the Medical Corps complex and military-owned Aliaa hospital in Omdurman.
General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF leader had claimed the victory for his forces via an audio note on Monday.
The audio transcribed:
“The option of peace and stability in Sudan has always been and still is our choice. Yet, we are ready for the option of war and to sacrifice ourselves to guarantee a decent life for our people,”
It is the fourth month since the war began and while both parties have displayed willingness towards various peace options proffered by regional and international actors, a ceasefire has yet to be reached.
