The UN Coordinator, Ms. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, has condemned the escalating violence in Aj Jazirah State, Sudan, citing human rights violations similar to those in Darfur. She reports indiscriminate shootings, sexual violence, and widespread looting by the Rapid Support Forces. Thousands of civilians have been displaced, as humanitarian groups mobilize to assist affected populations, affirming that attacking civilians is a violation of international law that must cease immediately.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, has expressed her profound concern regarding the surge in armed violence in Aj Jazirah State, which has reportedly resulted in numerous civilian casualties. In a press release dated October 26, she stated, “I am shocked and deeply appalled that human rights violations of the kind witnessed in Darfur last year – such as rape, targeted attacks, sexual violence, and mass killings – are being repeated in Aj Jazirah State. These are atrocious crimes.” Aj Jazirah State, located in east-central Sudan with its capital at Wad Madani, has been the site of a significant escalation in violence. Preliminary reports from October 20 to October 25 indicate that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) conducted extensive attacks throughout eastern Aj Jazirah. According to her statement, RSF combatants have engaged in indiscriminate shootings of civilians, perpetrated sexual violence against women and girls, looted markets and homes, and set agricultural lands ablaze. Reports suggest that villages including Safita Ghanoubab, Al-Hilaliya, and Al-Aziba have been severely impacted, with residents enduring physical assaults, humiliation, and threats, which have forced numerous civilians to flee their homes in search of safety. The number of casualties from these recent assaults is not yet confirmed, but thousands of families have been displaced within Aj Jazirah State, with some seeking refuge in Gedaref and Kassala states. Humanitarian organizations are currently collecting more information on the situation and mobilizing resources to assist the hundreds displaced by the ongoing violence. Ms. Nkweta-Salami emphasized the imperative for adherence to International Humanitarian Law, reminding the conflicting parties that “attacking civilians, civilian objects, and public infrastructure is prohibited.” She asserted, “It is unacceptable and must stop immediately. Civilians must be protected wherever they are.”
The article addresses the increasing violence in Aj Jazirah State, situated between the Blue Nile and the White Nile in east-central Sudan. The rising tensions and hostilities, particularly involving the Rapid Support Forces, have led to concerns regarding civilian safety and rights. The backdrop of previously observed human rights violations in Darfur highlights the grave nature of these recent incidents. The UN’s response underscores the need for immediate action to protect vulnerable populations amidst escalating conflict.
The violence in Aj Jazirah State represents a serious humanitarian crisis, with alarming reports of civilian harm and displacement. The UN highlights the need for urgent attention and protection for civilians, emphasizing the violations of international law being perpetuated in the conflict. As humanitarian agencies work to address the needs of those affected, it is crucial to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities against civilian populations.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
