Sudan is a 'playground for some of the richest nations in the world' - Emi Mahmoud | DW News

Key Concepts

• Alfasir Massacre: A recent event in Sudan where the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of the city, leading to mass displacement and alleged atrocities.
• Darfur Genocide: A long-standing conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan, characterized by ethnic cleansing and mass killings, which the speaker argues is being continued and expanded.
• Proxy War: A conflict where opposing sides use third parties as substitutes instead of fighting each other directly. The speaker asserts the Sudanese conflict is a proxy war, not a civil war.
• Rapid Support Forces (RSF): A paramilitary group in Sudan, formerly known as the Janjaweed, accused of committing mass killings and rapes.
• Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF): The official military of Sudan, which the speaker claims is perpetuating the war and is supported by various international actors.
• Internally Displaced People (IDP): People who have been forced to flee their homes but have not crossed international borders.
• Humanitarian Corridors: Safe passages established to allow humanitarian aid to reach populations in need and for civilians to evacuate conflict zones.
• Responsibility to Protect (R2P): An international norm that states governments have a responsibility to protect their own populations from mass atrocities, and if they fail, the international community has a responsibility to intervene.

Alfasir Massacre and Displacement

The United Nations reports that over 70,000 people have fled the Sudanese city of Alfasir in the North Darfur region since the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control on October 26th. Other cities in the north are preparing to receive tens of thousands of displaced individuals due to the escalating conflict.

International Criminal Court (ICC) Investigation

Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) are collecting evidence of alleged mass killings and rapes following the RSF's capture of Alfasir from the Sudanese Army.

Personal Testimony and Situation in Alfasir

Amy Mahmood, Strategic Director of the IDP Humanitarian Network, a poet, and activist, shared her firsthand account. She is from Alfasir and has relatives in the city. She described the situation as "devastating and harrowing," noting that warnings of an "Alfasir massacre" were issued after previous atrocities like the Aljin and Zuma massacres.

• Witness Accounts: Mahmood described seeing videos of attacks and the continuation of what she termed the "Darfur genocide." She reported that family members, neighbors, and friends were being "butchered and thrown into the mass graves that the RSF is creating."
• Current Conditions: It is extremely difficult to ascertain how many people remain in Alfasir, many of whom are at immediate risk of death due to starvation.
• Population Figures: Alfasir, a city of one million people, had approximately a quarter of a million residents remaining according to the UN after many fled following the Zuma massacre. Tragically, only a few thousand have managed to escape, leaving hundreds of thousands trapped.
• Reception Challenges: Toila, a location receiving many displaced people, was already under-resourced, highlighting the urgent need for support to accommodate survivors.

The War as a Proxy Conflict

Mahmood argued that the war is not a civil war but a "proxy war" and a continuation of the Darfur genocide.

• RSF's Role: The RSF is accused of committing genocide, carrying out executions, rapes, and other atrocities, with entire families reportedly found hanging from trees.
• External Funding and Support: The RSF is allegedly funded by the UAE and supported by Ukrainian special forces, as documented.
• SAF's Role: The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are perpetuating the war and are supported by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, and Russia. The SAF is also credited with creating the RSF, which are seen as a continuation of the Janjaweed.
• International Powers' Influence: Mahmood stated that the UAE and Saudi Arabia, allies of the United States, have the power to end the war but are not doing so.
• Arms Diversion: Evidence suggests that weapons earmarked by the UK for the UAE have ended up in the hands of the RSF in Darfur, contributing to the atrocities.
• Historical Context: The RSF and SAF collaborated in 2021 to overthrow the transitional government, hindering the path to democracy. Mahmood, a survivor of the Darfur genocide and an activist since childhood, expressed her devastation at seeing "oppressors" who perpetuated the genocide now allowed to make Sudan a "playground for some of the richest nations in the world."

ICC Investigation and Accountability

Mahmood commented on the ICC's warning that atrocities in Alfasir could amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes.

• Distinction from Legal Terminology: She finds the legal language of "war crimes" and "atrocities" can obscure the reality on the ground.
• Undeniable Evidence: There is "absolute undeniable evidence" of genocide, mass atrocities, and ethnically motivated killings.
• RSF's Identity and Goals: The RSF themselves identify with the Janjaweed, who were already being prosecuted for perpetuating the Darfur genocide. They were allegedly promised the country.
• Expansion of Conflict: The RSF's goal is not limited to Darfur; they aim to reach Khartoum and have already attacked El Fasher. Mahmood described Alfasir as a "gateway to the rest of Sudan."
• Threats of Violence: The RSF threatens to "erase everyone who stands in their way who is indigenous in Darfur" and to "massacre anyone who gets in the way of them taking over the entire country."

International Community's Responsibility and Humanitarian Needs

Mahmood emphasized the need for the international community to fulfill its "responsibility to protect."

• Call for Action: She urged the international community to recognize the conflict for what it is: a continuation of the Darfur genocide and a proxy war that must be stopped before all 40 million Sudanese people are killed.
• SAF's Obstruction: While the SAF has failed to protect its people, it also prevents the international community from intervening to provide protection.
• Humanitarian Corridors: The IDP Humanitarian Network and its international partners are calling for humanitarian corridors and the protection of civilians.
• Urgent Aid: Hundreds of thousands of people remain trapped in Alfasir, facing starvation. People are collapsing from hunger and dying on the journey to Toila, as they are forced to walk dozens of kilometers by foot to reach safety.
• Hope for Change: Mahmood expressed hope that the situation can change, which is why she is speaking out. She believes the ICC investigation and international attention can make a difference in saving the lives of those still in danger.

Conclusion

The situation in Sudan, particularly in Alfasir, is dire, characterized by mass displacement, alleged atrocities, and a conflict that is described as a continuation of the Darfur genocide and a proxy war fueled by international interests. The RSF is accused of widespread violence, while external powers are allegedly providing support. The international community is urged to intervene through humanitarian corridors and by fulfilling its responsibility to protect civilians, as the conflict threatens to engulf the entire nation.