Villages in the eastern parts of Gezira state in Sudan have been attacked by the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and at least 25 people have been killed.
Activists said this on Tuesday, after a high-ranking RSF officer from the area deserted on Sunday.
When the RSF took control of the state in December and other RSF units looted the agricultural state, the officer kept them from entering eastern parts of Gezira, sparing civilians the worst of the violence.
But after he deserted, RSF forces have flowed in, say activists, who describe the situation as characterized by revenge, looting and killing.
– Now they have their chance to do what they want, says an activist who wishes to remain anonymous to protect his family.
The pro-democracy group Rufaa Resistance Committee says on Tuesday that at least 25 have been killed in Rufaa, the largest town in the area, as well as seven other towns and villages.
Most of the citizens of Rufaa have been displaced and their homes looted. There are also reports of rape, says the group.
An eyewitness from the town of Hilalia says he has seen RSF soldiers looting a market as well as several clinics.
But a failure in the network means few details are available from the area.
Gezira has previously been described as Sudan’s breadbasket due to its large agricultural production.
The RSF has been fighting Sudan’s army since April last year.
Both sides are accused of war crimes. This applies, among other things, to attacks against civilians, bombardments of residential areas and blockades as well as looting of emergency aid.
The conflict has caused a huge humanitarian crisis, displaced over 11 million people and driven large parts of the country into acute famine.
/ritzau/Reuters
Source: www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk
